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.”
Channel 4 is looking for Mancs who think they can survive the apocalypse for a new TV series
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Have you always wanted to see how long you’d last in an apocalypse?
Well now’s your chance, as Apocalypse is potentially coming back to Channel 4 for a second series, with producers having put out a nationwide casting call for contestants willing to take part.
The casting call simply reads: “Do you think you have what it takes to survive the end of the world?”
Described as a dystopian series designed to test the creativity, resourcefulness, and resilience of our nation, Apocalypse sees players are pushed out of their comfort zones and put to the ultimate test.
In the series, ordinary people are tasked with surviving for 28 days in an abandoned city – used previously only for the military to practice urban warfare – with no food, running water, electricity or heat.
Produced by The Garden – which is part of ITV Studios – for Channel 4, the show’s creators are now calling on Mancs and people up and down the country with the ‘courage and ingenuity’ to compete, to get in touch and apply for the potential second series.
Does your mate always bang on after watching a post-apocalyptic film that they would’ve done things differently? Or is the news at the moment freaking you out and you want to give the end of the world a bit of a practice run? Either way, sign up, test that plan you’ve built in your head, and see if you’ve really got what it takes.
Applications are now open, and all you need to do is fill in a short application form and one of the production team will get back to you if they would like to proceed. Come on, let’s prove what Mancs are made of.
Hundreds of katsu curries are being given out for FREE in Manchester this week
Emily Sergeant
Hundreds of katsu curries are being dished up and given out for free in Manchester this week, but only for certain people.
And those lucky people will be students.
That’s right… a new semester is upon us, and thousands of freshers and returning students are descending on the city and Manchester‘s many universities for another year. But the life of a student isn’t exactly the cheapest sometimes, especially for those who haven’t had to live on a budget before moving out or into halls.
But to make things a little easier, Tampopo has announced it’ll be serving hundreds of one of its most popular dishes for free this week.
Tampopo is celebrating National Katsu Curry Day in the most delicious way possible, by giving away 700 Katsu Curries with rice for free, exclusively to freshers and students this Sunday (27 September).
Whether you’re brand new to the city, settling back into uni life, or you’re simply in need of a katsu fix, students can head to their nearest participating Tampopo and tuck into a hearty meal without needing to spend a penny.
100 katsu curries will be available each from 12-2pm at both Tampopo restaurants in Manchester city centre – which are on Albert Square, and in the Corn Exchange – or if you head over to the Trafford Centre, both the Tampopo there and the East Street sites are taking part.
“[Our] Katsu Curry has long been one of our most-loved dishes, so National Katsu Curry Day felt like the perfect excuse to give students a proper welcome to the new academic year,” Tampopo said in a statement.
So, are you feeling hungry then? The offer is exclusively available for takeaway only to freshers and students with a valid student ID, which they must present on collection.
100 portions are available at each participating location, and just one free katsu curry with rice will be available per person.
Daisy Jackson -
15th August 2022 
