It was in the spring that the seemingly well-born creature appeared in the fjord outside Kragerø. Since then, it has received massive attention, and has managed to become a popular attraction, both for tourists and locals. But even though many people think it is a fun feature, it has also created headaches and gray hair, both for boat owners, insurance companies and the city mayor. No later than Monday morning, it wrapped itself in the rope from a boat at a pier, and literally had to be cut loose with the help of nature photographer Per Ole Halvorsen. Destroys boats and gets stuck in ropes “Freya” enjoys settling in small boats that are at the quay, which in turn goes hard on the vessels. In addition, it does not appear to be significantly anxious about either human presence or their possessions. “Freya” wrapped itself in the rope from a boat on Monday morning, and had to be rescued by Per Ole Halvorsen. Photo: Per Ole Halvorsen – It was quite dramatic. It seems as if the walrus has been on a boat and crashed into an outrigger. Dre has it tied to some rope, and struggled to breathe, Halvorsen tells news. After a conversation with another man on the pier and a phone call to the Wildlife Board, it was decided that they should take the chance to cut the rope. – Then it jumped into the water and swam a bit, before going to sleep in a boat again, the photographer says. He thinks “Freya” behaves most normally to be a walrus. – It’s completely fresh. It’s just that we who live on this edge of the country are not used to walruses settling in boats and on piers. The case continues during the video. Considering relocation or killing The mayor of Kragerø, Grunde Wegard Knudsen, thinks “Freya” must go. Either way. – I have been concerned with finding a solution. Then the professional bodies get to assess what is the best solution. Whether it’s trying to catch “Freya” and transport it to domestic funnels, or in the worst case a killing. He believes it is a danger to both himself and people. – When people now have to help it get loose, they are also put in a slightly scary situation. Then you can imagine, with bathing children and all this. We are very worried, he says. Reasons Wegar Knudsen (Sp), mayor of Kragerø municipality. Photo: Randi Nørstebø / news Fellesferien is just around the corner in the popular area, which can often register more than fifty thousand tourists visiting during a summer. The mayor has been in dialogue with the State Administrator’s environmental department to see how to handle the uninvited guest. – Now we are trying to have a dialogue with the Directorate of Fisheries, which is the body that will tell us what is smart to do next, he says. – Is there an alternative to anesthetizing it and sending it home? – It is an animal of 600-900 kilos. Professionals may come to that conclusion. It would have been nice both for “Freya” and us in Kragerø if the animal came home safe and sound. Got an unexpected visit in the boat One of those who has involuntarily had to lend his boat for the huge animal’s dinner nap is Tuva Schøyen Grue. Both the hull and the boat’s engine received a real beating. Tuva Schøyen Grue had the boat destroyed after “Freya” settled in her boat. Photo: Randi Nørstebø / news Her insurance company has refused to cover the damages. The reason is that the owners only had liability insurance on the boat. – It’s very awkward. I could not predict that this would happen, she says resignedly. She experiences it as unsafe that “Freya” is currently splashing around freely in Kragerø’s skerries. – I’m not sure how safe it is that she is so happy to be among people. The mayor hopes the fate of the animal will be decided in the next few days.
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– “Freya” is in danger – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
