A Canadian town whose moose statue has been overtaken as the tallest in the world is preparing to fight back.
Mac the Moose has stood proudly in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, since 1984, and, at 9.8 metres high (32.1ft), it long held the crown as the world’s tallest moose statue.
Mayor Tolmie's Wants To Know How We Can Make Mac The Moose BiggerMayor Tolmie is asking for suggestions on how Mac can reclaim his title of "World's Tallest Moose"! Tourism Moose Jaw Tourism Saskatchewan Norway Tourism Explore Canada Justin and GregPosted by City of Moose Jaw on Tuesday, January 15, 2019
That changed in 2015 when the Big Elk was unveiled in Stor-Elvdal, Norway, standing a full 30cm (11.8in) taller than Mac.
Now the city of Moose Jaw is preparing itself to fight back.
In a video posted to Facebook on Wednesday, Fraser Tolmie, the city’s mayor, said he is ready to take action.
He said: “What are going to do folks? What are the people of Moose Jaw willing to do to overcome this situation? Mac the Moose was the tallest moose in the whole world and the people of Norway have taken that from us.
“Well I’m not going to stand for it.”
Norway @Dagbladet calls it an "International Moose Beef"! They are correct. They say we won't ever claim the title of "World's Tallest Moose". They are incorrect. @FraserTolmie @justinandgreg @tourismMooseJaw @JustinTrudeau @scottmoe @erna_solberg https://t.co/8yrd5521lO
— City of Moose Jaw (@CityofMooseJaw) January 17, 2019
Tolmie added that it was “personal” to him because the statue is named after former city councillor Les McKenzie, his wife’s great uncle.
“He’s practically family to me,” Tolmie said of Mac the Moose.
The Mayor now wants suggestions of how Mac might reclaim his title. Among the strategies suggested have been adding a bigger rack to the moose, or even giving him a hat.
Tolmie appears to have been spurred into action by online comedy duo Justin and Greg.
Moose Jaw Fights Back for Mac the MooseMOOSE JAW has been DE-THRONED for having the WORLD'S LARGEST MOOSE and we the people of Saskatchewan CANNOT STAND FOR THIS!UPDATE: Wanna help —> https://www.gofundme.com/mac-the-moosePosted by Justin and Greg on Friday, January 11, 2019
The pair produced a video last week in which they called for action, saying: “We people of Saskatchewan, we are friendly, we are kind, we will give you the shirt off our back, but when you come after our national treasures, internationally known around the world, we will not abide that.”
They called on Tolmie to add 31cm to Mac and “stick it to Olso or else rename your city Jaw”.