RIP Freya the walrus

Why are people getting so worked up about the murder of a single walrus? Well, I can only speak for myself. So, here’s my take.

To me Freya is a symbol of what’s wrong in the world: We take over animals’ habitats. We decide where they can live and where we don’t want them. We destroy their habitats and then kill them when they move elsewhere or when they get too close. Polar bears are a prime example. They have to try and find their food somewhere, so they do get close to people’s homes and yes, they are dangerous. It just seems so unfair that they’re the ones who are then killed. The world would be so much better off without people.

Freya’s fame became her downfall

When it comes to Freya – you were able see her and watch from a safe distance. You were able to follow her story as it was covered – with pictures – in the news. But no, apparently we all need to get that one shot of Freya on our OWN phone.

Would I have gone to Freya’s harbor, had I been there - probably. Would I have kept a safe distance – definitely. And by safe distance I mean safe for her as to not disturb her. Safe in a sense that I would have been able to spot her, but she would not have known I was even there.

Freya the wandering walrus

Granted Freya was in Norway for a long time and certainly “disrupted” some people’s lives and vacation plans but guess what?! We are the ones who are destroying animal habitats. We can make a conscious decision not to go swimming where Freya is hanging out. We can certainly also NOT take out our boat. Whether we want - that is a different question. However, we most definitely COULD stay away from Freya. Reading up on her story, I love how she was portrayed in the Shetland Times and it was also Hugh Harrop, director of Shetland wildlife, who spoke out on twitter after news of Freya’s murder broke:

Hugh Harrop Wildlife @HughHarrop

In memory of #Freya - the wandering Walrus that graced us here Shetland last winter. MURDERED today by the Directorate of Fisheries in #Norway because she was perceived as a "continued threat to human safety". Abhorrent and unforgivable on every level.

Freya was my spirit animal

Why? Because I’ve been saying for years that bus drivers wait for me when I come running because I run like a pregnant walrus, and they feel sorry for me. I really mean that. Everybody who’s met me in person will agree that my running looks like a pregnant walrus trying to move fast. As I said, it’s been years of me saying that. And seeing Freya just living her best life – I felt that.

Protect people? What about poor Freya?

Apparently, Freya needed to be murdered to protect the people who got too close to her. The Norwegian government was worried about their safety. Well, people can be kept away. It’s not that hard. And if people are told not to get too close, they do it anyway and get hurt how is that Freya’s fault? Reminds me a bit of people wanting to pet the buffalo in Yellowstone. People are stupid – that’s it. And poor Freya had to pay the ultimate price.

RIP Freya