The Penalty is Freya's

"[Freya] posed a continued threat to human safety. Through on-site observations the past week it was made clear that the public has disregarded the current recommendations to keep a clear distance to the walrus."

"Therefore, the directorate has concluded, the possibility for potential harm to people was high and animal welfare was not being maintained."

"We have considered all possible solutions carefully. We concluded that we could not ensure the animal's welfare through any means available."

"We have great regard for animal welfare, but human life and safety must take precedence. [The operation was] conducted in a humane fashion."

Frank Bakke-Jensen, director, Norwegian Fisheries

Freya, named after a Norse goddess, became a celebrity after being seen in viral videos climbing into small boats to nap. NTB/AFP via Getty Images

The 'operation' in question was a reference to the decision to euthanize the young walrus that has become such an endearing curiosity with its presence -- its comfort in the presence of humans and its propensity to want to join humans in their aquatic activities -- that people out of curiosity flocked to see her. In so doing, placing her in danger. She no more was aware of her strength and the potential for inadvertently harming people through close contact, than were the people who ignored cautionary signs and requests that they stay beyond a safe distance from the animal.

The difference being, of course, that Freya the Walrus was innocent of intent to harm, not understanding she could accidentally cause grief, the prospect of which would be beyond her animal brain -- and humans whose intellectual capacity was evidently no greater than Freya's continuing to ignore the pleas to protect themselves while protecting the walrus, placing both themselves and the trusting animal in harm's way.

Tourists and locals both, in Norway, have all been responsible for the reluctant decision by authorities to remove Freya from the danger people placed her in, while endangering themselves at the same time. Leaving animal welfare activists to mourn the loss of life of this friendly animal as being "infinitely sad". People had taken to swimming alongside the mammal and did not hesitate to bring children within touching distance. And as ignorant people are wont to do, some threw objects at her.

 

TOR ERIK SCHRDER/NTB/AFP via Getty Images

 

Freya weighed in at about 1,300 pounds. She occasionally climbed onto boats, getting herself comfortable to bask in the sun or to have a nap, lying in the boat. On occasion those boats would sink; no harm to Freya. Walruses have a protected status in Norway. Unfortunately, people enthused at her presence allowed their curiosity to get the better of their common sense, and in the process consigned her to death.

Officials hoped that she might leave of her own volition, considering euthanasia to be a last resort. Authorities' pleas to maintain a safe distance went ignored and Freya continued to attract attention. An image of Freya crowded by people within touching distance of the walrus was released a week ago by Norway's fisheries minister in a last-gasp effort to attempt to persuade people to be reasonable. 

Normally walruses live in the Arctic, so Freya's extended journey to Norway was highly unusual when she showed up after travelling into the North and Baltic Seas. She had been sighted in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden. But she spent part of the summer in Norway. In mid-July she was first seen in Oslo. She was estimated to be five years old, when she died.

Photo: TOR ERIK SCHRDER/NTB/AFP via Getty Images