Freya the walrus: Boat-sinking giant gets up to mischief in Oslo

A cheeky boat-sinking walrus has become a hit with locals and tourists alike in Norway, although some aren't too happy about its mischief. 

The hefty marine mammal was spotted in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Scotland before eventually ending up in Oslo's Frognerkilen bay.

Far from her native home in the Arctic circle, the 700-kilogram (1,500 pound) animal has sunk several small boats and inflatables anchored along the Nordic coast, after trying to get up and lounge on them. 

Freya, who is named after a Norse goddess, has created a social media storm, with videos circulating online of her (often unsuccessfully) clambering aboard un-walrus-worthy vessels.

Yet, not everyone is impressed. 

Two local boat owners told the German broadcaster Deutsche Welle they wanted Freya gone, after she was filmed damaging some boats in the town of Kragerø earlier this summer. 

Many other people, however, have had the exact opposite reaction to Freya’s antics and have flocked to the harbour to see the tusked icon in action.

Norway's Directorate of Fisheries has warned spectators to keep away from Freya after multiple paddlers came dangerously close to the animal in a bid to snap some photos.

Researchers from the University of South-Eastern Norway say Freya is not accustomed to crowds and they can be stressful and overwhelming for her. 

“She doesn’t get any peace,” walrus expert Rune Aae told Norwegian News Agency NTB. “She needs to relax for up to 20 hours.”

“When she is constantly stressed out by people and their presence, it is not good for her," continued Aae. 

Ideas have been proposed to cordon off parts of the dock in Frognerkilen bay to onlookers, although they are not in place yet. 

Researchers have built the walrus her very own