Norway was right to put down Freya the walrus, prime minister says

Jonas Gahr Store speaks out after criticism from campaigners, while a zoologist says decision was inevitable

Norway's prime minister has said it was right" to put down Freya, a 600kg (1,300lb) female walrus euthanised on Sunday in Oslo fjord, as animal rights campaigners attacked the decision but a leading zoologist insisted it was inevitable.

I support the decision to euthanise Freya," Jonas Gahr Store told the public broadcaster NRK on Monday. It was the right decision. I am not surprised that this has led to many international reactions. Sometimes we have to make unpopular decisions."