[Nettavisen] The 600-kilogram walrus has received great attention in recent weeks and has been the talk of the town on social media after several visits along the coast.
Evening through Monday, “Freya” has been observed on the pier at Kongens Marina in Bygdøy. He was first seen in Oslo on Sunday afternoon.
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Rune researcher Aae at the University of South-Eastern Norway, and a resident of Råde, told Nettavisen that it is difficult to say how long “Freya” will stay in the capital.
– It’s surprising all the time. He had been in some places for a week and in others a quarter of an hour. He is unstable, which is very common for animals escaping from his herd, he said.
Here you can see Freya’s long journey across the North Sea and Oslo Fjord, in a map updated by Rune Aae:
– Keep your distance
The walrus has received special attention due to the fact that he is lying in a small boat that is on the dock and that he doesn’t seem to worry too much about humans.
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Researchers say that Freya went ashore to relax and digest food.
– He looks for food in shallow areas, such as clams, starfish, and crabs. After eating several thousand shells, the walrus lay down on land to relax.
And for the audience, he comes with great advice.
– Keep your distance and respect the animal, said Aae.
Also, you have to go ashore if you see Freya in the water.
– Do not swim or swim where he is. Not because it’s aggressive, but because it’s huge and if it wanted to play with you, you’d be quickly dragged down by a 600 kilogram animal, he explained to Nettavisen.
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On the way
Friday and Saturday he was seen resting in Hallangspollen near Oscarsborg by Drøbaksundet. Earlier this summer, he was “on vacation” in Tønsberg and Krager, among other places.
Researchers at USN say it’s not uncommon for walruses to spend time trying to find their way back into the herd.
The walrus has a built-in compass, but not a map. With lots of fjord arms to search through, it will take time to get out into the open sea again and in the right direction, Aae said.
He emphasized that there was no reason to worry about “Freya”
– It seems fine. He seems to be eating well and doing well. It was only a matter of time before he got back on track.
Aae believes that “Freya” will eventually move to the Bunnefjord and then head south again – towards Sørlandet and Lindesnes.
The first time he was seen in Norway was in Troms in 2019, according to NRK. Walruses have also been observed in Denmark, the Netherlands and England in the past.
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