In Norway, a Polish tourist was fined for a close approach to a walrus

The local authorities learned about the incident from members of the public, who saw a man who went out onto the ice to approach the animal.

In Norway, a tourist visiting the Norwegian Arctic archipelago of Svalbard was fined more than $1100 for getting too close to a walrus, the BBC reports.

It is illegal to approach wildlife in Svalbard in such a way as to disturb it.

The incident happened not far from Longyearbyen, the northernmost populated place in the world.

The local authorities learned about the incident from members of the public, who saw a man who went out onto the ice to approach the animal.

Svalbard's environmental law stipulates that all traffic on the archipelago must take place in a way that does not disturb local wildlife, including polar bears, seals, whales, reindeer and foxes.

Police prosecutor Magnus Rindal Fredriksen told the BBC that parts of the incident were observed by several of the governor's staff. The offending tourist, who is a citizen of Poland, was taken to the governor's office and paid a fine. The police believe that the tourist did it because he was looking for a "good picture".

Spring and summer are popular with tourists on Svalbard, when many visit the almost untouched archipelago.

Svalbard's walruses became protected in 1952, when it became clear that there were only a few hundred left after more than three centuries of commercial exploitation.

The walrus population has been increasing since the measures were introduced, but the species remains on the Norwegian National Red List.

Due to concerns about the impact of tourism and climate change, the Norwegian government has announced stricter rules to come into effect next year, which include a ban on approaching walruses within 150 meters.