A tourist visiting the stunning Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard has found himself in hot water after approaching a walrus on an ice floe. The man, whose name has not been disclosed, was fined NOK 12,500 Norwegian Kroner (£900) for disturbing the creature.
The incident, which occurred on a Wednesday, saw the man venture onto the ice and approach a walrus that was peacefully lying there. Members of the public witnessed the event and promptly reported it to the local governor. Additionally, employees of the governor’s office observed parts of the incident, leading to the tourist being brought in for questioning.
Under Svalbard law, individuals are required to conduct themselves in a manner that does not lead to the unnecessary disturbance of wildlife. As a result, the tourist was swiftly brought to the governor’s office, where he accepted the fine.
In a statement, the governor’s office emphasized the importance of maintaining a safe distance from walruses to avoid disturbing them and to prevent any potential danger to both the animals and people.
Protection of Walruses in Svalbard
Walruses in the Svalbard Archipelago have a tumultuous history. They were hunted almost to extinction before being granted legal protection in 1952.
Despite this protection, the walrus population in the region remains low, with the species still classified as endangered on the Norwegian National Red List, which identifies species at risk of extinction in Norway.
To further safeguard these majestic creatures, new rules for motor traffic at sea will be implemented next year. These regulations will prohibit motorized vessels from approaching walruses closer than 150 meters and set a speed limit of five knots for any motor traffic within 300 meters of the animals.
These measures are crucial for the conservation of walruses in the Svalbard region and highlight the importance of respecting wildlife in their natural habitat.
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