The walrus Freya, which had become a tourist attraction in Norway and was euthanized in the summer, was perfectly healthy when it died.
This was the result of the animal's autopsy, as announced by the Norwegian Veterinary Institute on Wednesday.
"There is no doubt that the walrus died instantly when euthanized," said pathologist Malin Rokseth Reit, according to the release.
"It was a healthy animal, in good condition."
The walrus, which weighs almost 600 kilograms, appeared again and again off Oslo in the summer and lay on boats at anchor.
However, despite warnings from the authorities, onlookers jumped into the water for the animal or came very close to it with children on the bank to take photos.
Recently, the Fisheries Directorate assessed the safety risk as too great.
There were protests in Norway against the euthanasia of the animal.
According to their own statements, the fisheries director and his wife even received death threats.
The Norwegians will probably not forget the walrus that quickly: A Freya fan started a fundraiser to collect money for a statue of the animal.
By Wednesday, 267,000 Norwegian kroner (around 27,000 euros) had been raised for this.