Freya the Walrus wandered the waters of the North Sea, visiting different parts of Europe throughout 2020 and 2021. In June 2022, Freya received viral attention on social media for her antics after climbing on the back decks of boats. Freya showed up in Norway this summer and became an unexpected tourist attraction.

In spite of her appeal, Norwegian officials considered her a threat to people who ignored warnings about getting too close to the friendly sea mammal. Freya was a wild animal, after all, “was” being the operative word given the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries' decision to euthanize Freya in favor of "public safety." Freya's killing has brought on public outcry similar to that of the 2016 euthanization of Harambe, the gorilla killed at Cincinnati Zoo.

We speak with Jason Horowitz, Rome bureau chief at the New York Times about the popular walrus and the unpopular decision to end Freya’s life.