Life-size sculpture of euthanised walrus unveiled in Norway

A walrus that became a global celebrity last year after it was seen frolicking and basking in a Oslo fjord before it was euthanised by the authorities has been honoured with a bronze sculpture in Norway.

The walrus, named Freya, quickly become a popular attraction among Oslo residents but Norwegian authorities later made a decision to euthanise it – 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 autumn to finance the sculpture.

The private initiative managed to gather about 270,000 Norwegian kroner (around £20,200) by October, NTB said.