Norway plans to move walrus out of fjord amid public's concerns

The Norwegian Directorate of FisheriesDirectorate of Fisheries told CNN that it is monitoring the situation around Freya, observing the walrus closely with a patrol vessel. The young female walrus has been spending time at the Oslo Fjord, an inlet on the country's southeast coast.

The public has disregarded the current recommendation to keep a clear distance to the walrus, Nadia Jdaini, a spokesman for the Norwegian Directorate of FisheriesDirectorate of Fisheries, told CNN in an email.

Visitors are swimming with Freya, throwing objects at her, and getting close to her to take photos - sometimes with their children in tow, said Jdaini.

This means that their warnings aren't enough for the directorate.

Jdaini said that we will have to look at other options rather than the current strategy of asking people to stay out of the wild animal. One of the options that the Directorate has previously stated is to greenlight a controlled operation to put the animal down. Other possible solutions, like moving the animal from the Oslo-fjord, are also being discussed in the ongoing discussions. Jdaini said that they weigh between 600 and 900 kilograms, or about 1,300 to 2,000 pounds. There are more than 25,000 Atlantic walruses making their homes in the icy waters around Canada, Greenland, Norway and Russia. They weigh between 600 and 900 kilograms, or about 1,300 to 2,000 pounds, said Jdaini. There are over 25,000 Atlantic walruses making their homes in the icy waters around Canada, Greenland, Norway and Russia. Female walruses weigh between 600 and 900 kilograms, or about 1,300 to 2,000 pounds, said Jdaini. There are more than 25,000 Atlantic walruses making their homes in the icy waters around Canada, Greenland, Norway and Russia, according to the World Wildlife Fund. Marine mammals migrate along the coast to feed on mollusks and other invertebrates in shallow waters. Rune Aae, a biology professor at the University of South-Eastern Norway, manages a Google map of Freya sightings, and has become a social media sensation this summer, said Rune Aae, who runs a biology department at the University of South-Eastern Norway. Several popular videos show the walrus clambering onto small boats to sunbathe. On July 19, 2022, Freya rests on a boat in Frognerkilen, Oslo Fjord, Norway. Normally, walruses will show up on some islands, but they will leave quite soon because they're afraid of people, said Aae. Freya is not afraid of people, he said. I think she likes people. Aae said that the last time a walrus was documented this far south in the North Sea was 2013. He said it is not common at all, which led to crowds of Norwegians flocking to see Freya. Aae said that the plan to relocate Freya out of the fjord would be logistically challenging and dangerous, as it would require careful timing of sedation to ensure she doesn't drown in the water. He said Freya will leave on her own, as she did in March after visiting Oslo Fjord. Aae said killing her is an easy way out. I really hope that they try to move her, or have the patience to wait.