A tourist was fined £900 for getting too close to a walrus.

A recent news story has caught the attention of wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists alike as a tourist in Svalberg, Norway, came a little too close for comfort to a walrus. The incident occurred on Wednesday when the man, who hails from Poland, ventured onto an ice floe in the Svalberg Archipelago, where he unfortunately disturbed the resting walrus. This may seem like a harmless and exciting encounter, but it is actually a violation of the law in Svalberg to cause unnecessary disturbance to wildlife.

According to authorities, the man's actions were witnessed by members of the public, who quickly reported it to the appropriate authorities. As a result, the man was taken to the governor's office where he was fined 12,500 Norwegian Kroner, which is equivalent to around £900. The BBC reports that the man accepted the penalty and paid it without hesitation. In a statement, the governor's office reminded everyone to keep a safe distance from walruses in order to avoid disturbing them and to prevent any potential danger to both the animals and people.

The incident occurred near Longyearbyen, at the bottom of the fjord, and it is believed that the tourist had arrived in the area on the same day. It is worth noting that causing unnecessary disturbance to wildlife is a punishable offense in Svalberg, which is a small archipelago located halfway between the northern coast of mainland Norway and the North Pole. This law is in place to protect the area's wildlife, which includes the walrus, an animal that has faced the threat of extinction in the past.

Although walruses have been protected by law since 1952, their numbers in the Svalberg Archipelago remain low. In fact, they are listed as a species in danger of extinction on the Norwegian National Red List. This is due in part to the historical hunting of these animals, which almost led to their extinction in the area. However, their protected status has allowed them to slowly recover, and it is crucial that we continue to respect and protect these magnificent creatures, not only in Svalberg but also in other parts of the world. Let us all learn from this incident and remember to always give wildlife the space and respect they deserve.

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