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Life-size bronze sculpture of euthanised walrus unveiled in Norway
- The walrus, named Freya, become a popular attraction among Oslo residents but authorities euthanised the mammal – causing public outrage
- The sculpture by Norwegian artist Astri Tonoian was unveiled on Saturday at the Oslo marina near where the mammal was seen resting last summer
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A walrus that became a global celebrity last year after it was seen frolicking and basking in an Oslo fiord before it was euthanised by the authorities has been honoured with a bronze sculpture in Norway.
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The life-size sculpture by Norwegian artist Astri Tonoian was unveiled on Saturday at the Oslo marina not far from the place where the actual 600kg (1,300-pound) mammal was seen resting and relaxing during the summer of 2022.
The walrus, named Freya, quickly become a popular attraction among Oslo residents but Norwegian authorities later made a decision to euthanise the mammal – causing public outrage – because they said people had not followed recommendations to keep a safe distance away from the massive animal.
Norwegian news agency NTB said a crowdfunding campaign was kicked off last fall to finance the sculpture. The private initiative managed to gather about 270,000 Norwegian kroner (US$25,000) by October, NTB said.
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