Calay News
A bronze statue of Freya, a walrus that became famous last summer in Oslo by playing in the fjord, was unveiled Saturday in the Norwegian capital. The sculpture, which shows the 600-kilogram young female lying on her side, was installed at Kongen Marina, near the spot where Freya used to swim and sunbathe. The walrus attracted large crowds while hunting ducks and swans, and many ships sank under her weight.
Authorities decided to kill Freya in August last year, claiming it could stress her and become a threat to members of the public who did not keep their distance despite warnings. The decision sparked anger among the public, and an online campaign raised more than $25,000 to carve a statue in her honor.
The walrus, who was about five years old, had previously been spotted in the UK, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden before spending part of the northern summer in Norway. The Freya statue is a way to honor and remember the walrus’s beauty and free spirit and to raise awareness of the importance of protecting wildlife.
