RIP Freya the Walrus

I was shocked,appalled and visibly upset by the brutal and totally unnecessary killing (or brutal murder more like) of Freya the Walrus, by the Norwegian Marine Directorate who considered it the only option. This was an appalling decision. Walruses are supposed to be a protected species and why cull a perfectly healthy individual, that was in all likelihood going to move on when she had depleted the supplies of shellfish in the local marine habitat. When Wally the Walrus visited Tenby, Pembrokeshire in Wales, then Cornwall, France, Spain, Isles of Scilly, Ireland etc cordons were put in place and in Tenby the Marine Life volunteers were on hand to "police" the event and inform the public about Walrus natural history and why he was at Tenby. Local businesses had benefitted greatly from the influx of tourists spending money on food and snacks, and even commemorative 't' shirts and mugs designed by local entrepreneurs (including me!). The local council had also benefitted from the influx of visitors using local car parks. In a very difficult year for me, personally, seeing Wally the Walrus was a massive highlight which I shall never forget. This appalling decision by Norwegian Marine Directorate shows a lack of imagination, a totally inhumane decision and a total nature disconnect of murdering a poor defenceless innocent animal. Surely they could have cordoned the area off staffed by volunteers to police the event and celebrate the presence of such a characterful, wonderful and enigmatic visitor. We share this planet with many wonderful creatures and we should respect and care for them. The Norwegian Marine Directorate doesn't subscribe to this point of view. ============================================================================================================ You can complain by e-mailing: anette.aase@fiskeridir.no To Anette Aase, Directorate of Fisheries Norway, Here's my e-mail: I am shocked appalled and upset that you/ your organisation sanctioned the killing of Freya the Walrus, a perfectly healthy animal that had been present in Norwegian waters. You should be delighted that you received a visit from such a magnificent creature. I was delighted last year to see Wally the Walrus, which spent time at Tenby in Wales and then France, Isles of Scilly & Ireland where the authorities in all these countries cordoned off the area and it was policed by volunteers (of wildlife/ Marine rescue organisations) to ensure both the safety of the animal and for people who came to visit and were kept at a distance to avoid disturbing the Walrus. You could have done the same, so why didn't you? Wally made it back north and I am so glad he didn’t visit Norway re: the unnecessary killing of Freya. The local community of Tenby took great pride in hosting a visit by wally the Walrus & they benefitted in other ways too, more people were visiting Tenby spending money in local shops, car parks and even buying up hastily designed Wally the Walrus 't' shirts and mugs designed by entreprising entrepreneurs. I cannot understand why this animal was culled and I will think twice before visiting Norway, if this is the way you treat animals, it is too late for Freya but please think twice before culling any other animals that visit your country in the future. Peter Ransome (Pic below of Wally the Walrus who fortunately didn't visit Norway).