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Norway is conducting a private fundraiser to erect a statue of a walrus that drew crowds, but euthanized it on Sunday after authorities determined the large marine mammal posed a risk to humans.
Affectionately known as Freya by fans, the walrus has become a popular attraction on the Oslo Fjord in recent weeks, despite officials warning people not to approach and take pictures with them.
“The shooting in Freya has a strong negative signalling effect that we in Norway, and Oslo in particular, do not have a place to live for wildlife,” the citizen group behind the online fundraiser said in its appeal.
“By erecting a statue of Freya that soon became a symbol, we will always remind ourselves (and future generations) that we cannot or should not always kill and remove nature when it is ‘in the way’.”
As of Tuesday, the group had raised 156,409 crowns (£13,400), according to the fundraising website.
If the project fails, the funds will go to the local WWF, organizers said.
Walruses are a protected species, and just last month officials said they hoped Freya would leave voluntarily and that euthanasia would be a last resort.
The head of Norway’s fisheries agency said on Sunday they were considering moving the animal elsewhere, but concluded that was not a viable option.
Atlantic walruses usually live in the Arctic. Their trips to the North Sea and Baltic Sea are unusual, but not unheard of.
Last year, another walrus, nicknamed Wally, was seen on beaches and even lifeboat docks in Wales and elsewhere.
Freya likes to climb on boats and destroy them.
The Norwegian Veterinary Research Institute said on Tuesday it had received the 1,320-pound female walrus’ carcass and would conduct an autopsy for scientific purposes.
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