A walrus who had gained internet fame in recent weeks after repeatedly clambering onto boats for a nap has been euthanised.
The animal, who was named Freya, was put down due to a ‘threat to human safety’.
She had been frequently photographed in recent weeks hauling her huge body onto dinghies around the Oslo Fjord in Norway, sometimes sinking them.
But despite warnings to keep a clear distance from Freya – who weighed around 600kg (or 1,300lb) – people have continued to crowd around to see her.
Crowds continued to gather around Freya the walrus, despite warnings not to. Credit: NORWEGIAN DIRECTORATE OF FISHERIES
Local media reported that a bathing area even had to be closed after she chased a woman into the water.
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It’s led to the decision to have the walrus put down, as the ‘potential harm to people was high’.
A statement from Director General of Fisheries, Mr. Frank Bakke-Jensen, confirmed that Freya was put down ‘in a humane fashion’ by highly skilled and trained personnel.
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He said: “Through on-site observations the past week it was made clear that the public has disregarded the current recommendation to keep a clear distance to the walrus.
A young female #walrus has shot to stardom in #Norway by traveling the country’s coastline, feeding in local harbors and crushing small boats with her hefty frame.
“Therefore, the Directorate has concluded, the possibility for potential harm to people was high and animal welfare was not being maintained.”
Director general Bakke-Jensen added: “We have sympathies for the fact that the decision can cause reactions with the public, but I am firm that this was the right call. We have great regard for animal welfare, but human life and safety must take precedence.”
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People have said that those who continued to get close to the walrus despite the safety and welfare warnings ‘should be ashamed of themselves’.
One person said on Twitter: “They killed Freya the Walrus because ‘people were getting to close to it’ – literally just sums up the disgrace and audacity of humanity.”
Another said: “Now they’ve killed Freya, the gentle walrus who meant no harm to anyone. It’s indefensible. Wild animals increasingly have no safe place in this world. Every single person who ignored the warnings should be deeply ashamed. She had her whole life to live.”
Someone else commented: “Killing Freya the walrus because “people were getting too close to her” is peak human entitlement. We think we alone own this planet.”
I’m A Celebrity line-up announced for brand new all-star series in South Africa
Daisy Jackson
The all-star line-up for I’m A Celebrity… South Africa has been announced, with some massive Manchester celebs taking part.
The brand new show is due to air in April and will see some of the series’ most memorable campmates heading to a new setting in South Africa.
Names involved include Bolton-born boxing legend Amir Khan, Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan, and Happy Mondays legend Shaun Ryder.
And that’s just part of the first wave of celebrity contestants – more famous faces will take part in I’m A Celebrity… South Africa, entering the camp as the series goes on.
The new series will ‘push them to their limits and test them like never before’, ITV has said, promising bigger and tougher challenges and an even harsher environment.
Also taking part from the launch episode will be Diversity star Jordan Banjo, TV presenter Carol Vorderman, Olympian Fatima Whitbread, former royal butler Paul Burrell, ex-England cricketer Phil Tufnell, and supermodel Janice Dickinson.
ITV said: “Whilst nodding back to the Australian jungle, I’m A Celebrity…South Africa is a uniquely different series so viewers can look forward to lots of unexpected twists and turns.”
The trailer also shows the celebs taking part in pre-recorded challenges, taking on everything from nasty food to terrifying heights.
I’m A Celebrity… South Africa will air on ITV1 and ITVX from April 2023.
Featured image: ITV
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Commentator Arlo White shows off what the Old Trafford gantry walk looks like
Danny Jones
Ever wondered what it’s like to be up in the gantry in a football stadium, say, Old Trafford? Well, we certainly have.
You see the odd shot of the commentators sat there on the telly from time to time but it never really gives much away either and, at some venues, it’s quite a ways up there. There’s a little bit of allure behind these mysterious parts of footy grounds that most fans will never get to see.
After hours of mindless scrolling on the social media app, we stumbled across the well-known sports commentator‘s channel where he’s been showing off what it’s like to go in the gantry and one of them is his long walk to crow’s nest up at the Theatre of Dreams.
As it turns out, Arlo’s been doing these videos for a couple of years now, revealing how the gantry looks not only at Old Trafford but other big Premier League grounds too, such as down the road at the Etihad, Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, Tottenham Hotspurs’ sparkly new ground and many more.
Another reason we found ourselves stuck on his TikTok for so long was also because of the other behind-the-scenes details he reveals too, even shedding light on how he prepares for games: note-taking, data sheets, how keeps himself warm up there during those cold nights on comms and so on.
Daisy Jackson -
15th August 2022 
