– It was cool that it was going up on the pier. Kindergarten boy Sigurd watches the walrus “Freya” from a safe distance. – It is scary, adds kindergarten friend Emilian. The two were among several lucky ones who on Friday got to see the much talked about walrus frolic on a pier in Risør. After creating a furore in Kragerø recently, Freya has now moved to Sørlandet. The 600 kilo walrus has become a talking point on social media this spring after several visits along the coast. Why the journey this time has gone on to Risør, no one knows. But now things may indicate that Freya is becoming an environmental hero. Environmental hero? Kathrine Ryeng works with research and advice related to animal welfare in marine mammals at the Institute of Marine Research. She thinks she has found the answer to why Freya travels around the south. – This animal has found an eldorado for food, says the researcher on the phone from Tromsø. Ryeng refers to a report on the distribution of Pacific oysters, which the Institute of Marine Research published in 2020. The Pacific oyster is an undesirable species in Norwegian waters. It is seen as an environmental threat, which is very difficult to combat. Photo: Gry Eirin Skjelbred / news It shows that the Pacific oyster is in large numbers exactly where Freya has chosen to frolic. Walruses are very fond of clams, and according to the researcher, an adult walrus can eat several thousand shells during a meal. – If you ask me, it is no coincidence that this animal has stayed a long time in these areas. Researcher Kathrine Ryeng says Freya has found an eldorado for food. Photo: Institute of Marine Research The Pacific oyster is an undesirable species in Norway since it poses a high risk to the environment. Its enormous ability to reproduce has also made it unrealistic to limit the spread. If it is true that Freya supplies herself with the amount of shells, Ryeng believes that she may have already helped to curb the spread of the Pacific oyster in the south. – Maybe the walrus has also made life easier for bathers in the skerries. STRIKES THE ENVIRONMENT: Freya may have helped to reduce the spread of the unwanted Pacific oysters in the Oslo Fjord and along the southern coast. Photo: Tone Olsen Tjelmeland Find the floating pier In Risør, mayor Per Kristian Lunden must acknowledge that the “celebrity walrus” has become a sight. But whether Freya is best among boats and people, he doubts. – I hope it finds its way back to its right element as soon as possible, Lunden says to news. The municipality will now talk to the Directorate of Fisheries to find out how they can best take care of Freya, without harming people and things. Freya had found a good place in the sun in Risør on Friday morning. Photo: Espen Bierud / news Lunden says that they may also be able to take over the floating pier that was made for Freya in Kragerø. It is supported by Ryeng. – Walruses love to lie on things that float. She should be introduced to something she can lie on quickly, so she does not get used to the marina as she did in Kragerø. Ryeng’s advice is to place a low-lying jetty where Freya swims in and out. Back in Risør, news’s interview with mayor Lunden is suddenly interrupted: – Oi, here it comes up yes! – Here we really have to be careful, says Lunden. The police and the Nature Conservation Association have previously warned against getting too close to the animal. Both for the sake of the walrus herself, but also because she can create dangerous situations for humans. – We should lead by example and move a little away, says the mayor. Ryeng estimates that Freya is about 4-5 years old. – If she ever grows up and has kids, she may want to come back to the south if she remembers that she has some huge food bowls there, but that is just speculation. The much talked about walrus has been to Sarpsborg, Tjøme and Kragerø.
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The walrus Freya can be an environmental hero – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
