When Freya appeared at Frognerkilen on Saturday, the decision was made.
The Directorate of Fisheries has been sparing with details about the process when Freya was euthanized. Since Monday morning, Aftenposten has tried to get answers to the details of the decision and the action, both by e-mail and by phone.
On Tuesday afternoon, Aftenposten succeeded in getting director of fisheries Frank Bakke Jensen to speak in Arendal.
– Can you say something more specific about where it happened?
– No, Bakke-Jensen answers briefly.
He says that she was shot with a rifle and that the ammunition that was used is “the ammunition that should be used for that type of animal”.
– Where and how was she transported after she was shot?
– In a way that enabled us to deliver her to the Veterinary Institute.
– How do you do that with something so big?
– You do that with a large tarpaulin and a boat.
– Can you tell someone how many shots were fired?
– No.
– Was she shot from a boat or land?
– I don’t want to say anything about that.
The Directorate of Fisheries justified the culling on the grounds that there was a danger to human life and health. Among other things, they have shared a photo that shows a large crowd right in front of Freya.
Made the decision on Saturday
– On Friday we said: “we have to, then we have to”, says Bakke-Jensen.
Freya had appeared at the Kadettangen. The Directorate of Fisheries had come out and warned that they were considering euthanizing the animal, if people did not stop seeking her out.
– As things developed with the large crowds around her and so many unclear situations, we could be in danger of having to do something close to people and earlier. There were too many examples of dangerous situations.
They eventually managed to get the crowd under control, but then she disappeared. Then they hoped that Freya would move south, and that they would let go of all the fuss.
He adds that if she had pulled away from the large crowds, it could have been avoided.
– But late on Saturday she appeared again in Frognerkilen and then we knew we got the same round. Then we just had to do it, says Bakke-Jensen.
Consideration for people’s lives and health weighed heavily
The killing of Freya has also received a lot of attention abroad. On Monday, it was the New York Times’ most shared post on Facebook.
She has previously visited the Netherlands, Germany, Great Britain and Denmark. She has also visited many other places along the Norwegian coast. But the journey was to end deep in the Oslo Fjord.
– For several years, Freya has been in many countries and survived. When she arrives in Oslo, she is shot. What does the Directorate of Fisheries think about it?
– How it has been dealt with in other countries, I don’t know anything about. But here it was quite simply that the situations became too chaotic. The danger that someone could be seriously injured or that someone could lose their life was too great. That’s why we had to take that step, answers Bakke-Jensen.
In the map below you can see observations made of walruses along the coast. Which of them are of Freya is not clear.
Not counting the costs
The Institute of Marine Research sent out a press release yesterday in which they explained which alternatives for relocation they had presented to the directorate. One alternative they considered relatively safe for the walrus. A cage with an open top was the proposal.
“This solution was considered the most gentle on the animal, because there was little chance of the animal getting stuck underwater or damaging the device,” they wrote.
In a document the directorate has sent to Aftenposten, it is stated:
«We concluded that a move would entail a high risk of harming or killing the animal. In addition, it would have entailed a significant use of resources.”
In that connection, we wanted an answer to how much the euthanasia cost and what an alternative move would cost.
Both the communications department and Bakke Jensen reply that they have not counted on that.
The killing of Freya has caused strong reactions. Some are critical, others support the decision. MDG says they will follow up on the matter in the Storting.
