A tourist in Norway has had to pay a hefty fine after coming way too close to a walrus on the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard (Spitsbergen). Bystanders saw the man stand on a piece of ice floe and shuffle as close as possible to the protected animal. Apparently he wanted to take the most spectacular photo with the animal as possible. The tourist, a Pole, was immediately fined no less than 12,500 Norwegian crowns, equivalent to 1,060 euros.
The incident happened in Spitsbergen, the Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean. Near Longyearbyen, considered the northernmost settlement in the world, bystanders watched the Polish tourist get closer to the walrus.
Take a picture
According to the governor of Spitsbergen, the man wanted to take a photo with the animal. However, it is strictly prohibited by local law to disturb wild animals. These include polar bears, seals, whales, reindeer, arctic foxes, and also walruses.
Midnight Sun
Spring and summer are popular seasons for tourists to visit Spitsbergen. It is the perfect time for many to enjoy the wonderful beauty of the virtually untouched archipelago in the high Arctic, while the sun does not set at night (the phenomenon of the “midnight sun”, ed.). Of course, the intention is that everyone respects local nature in all its forms. This also means keeping your distance from the population of walruses, which are on the Norwegian red list of endangered animals and have had a protected status since 1952.
Amid broader concerns about the impact of tourism and climate change, the Norwegian government has announced stricter rules in the Arctic, which will come into effect from next year. This includes a ban on approaching a walrus within a radius of 150 meters. Another measure is a limit on cruise ships.
WATCH ALSO. Polar bear Frost became a world attraction in Spitsbergen
Frost, the most famous polar bear in the world, died: “Drowned after being chased by a drunken group of people”
LOOK. Unique and dangerous: tourists see up close how an iceberg breaks and crashes into the sea
WATCH ALSO. Tourists watch iceberg break and roll over
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and never miss anything from the stars.
Yes, I want free unlimited access
