Mac the Moose

Mac the Moose is a steel and concrete sculpture of a moose in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. It is on the grounds of Moose Jaw's visitors' center, on the corner of E Thatcher Drive and the Trans-Canada Highway.[1] It is claimed to be the world's largest moose at 10.36 metres (34.0 ft) tall[2] and a weight of approximately 10 long tons (10,000 kg).[3][4]

Mac the Moose
Mac the Moose in its current location, August 2018
Mac the Moose
Location in Canada
Mac the Moose
Mac the Moose (Canada)
ArtistDon Foulds, Rion White (replacement antlers)
Year1984 (1984)
MediumSteel and concrete sculpture
SubjectMoose
Dimensions10.36 m (34.0 ft)
Weight10,000 kilograms (22,000 lb)
LocationMoose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Coordinates50°24′47″N 105°30′37″W
OwnerCity of Moose Jaw

History

Mac the Moose was built in 1984 by Saskatoon artist Don Foulds with the goal of attracting visitors to the city. The construction process involved a steel frame covered with metal mesh and four coats of cement. A contest was held to name the moose, with the name "Mac" being chosen after Les MacKenzie.[1] The giant moose was one of the city's first tourist attractions. The project was completed in May 1984.[5]

In 2004, Mac was moved 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) using a flatbed truck and is now just off of the Trans-Canada highway next to the Moose Jaw visitors' center. Although Mac has been vandalized many times (once being painted blue and other physical damage was done, including losing his jaw),[3] he still stands, although surrounded by a fence in 2009. In 2013, Mac was honoured by the Moose Jaw Times Herald as Moose Jaw's Best Celebrity.[1]

Rivalry
In 2003, prior to being moved and fenced

After 31 years of holding the title of the world's largest moose, in 2015 Mac the Moose was surpassed by another moose statue in Stor-Elvdal, Norway, called The Big Elk (moose (Alces alces) are often called elk in Europe).[6] The Big Elk stood about 30 centimetres (12 in) taller. In an interview with Global News on the subject, Moose Jaw's mayor Deb Higgins wasn't bothered, stating that "I think we’ve won the battle, first and foremost that Mac's reputation has spread to Norway and beyond." Subsequently, Mac the Moose was billed as North America's largest moose,[4] with Tourism Moose Jaw referring to it as the "World's Second Largest Moose".[1]

In January 2019, two Canadian comedians urged Moose Jaw residents to add 31 cm (12 in) to Mac's height (likely by extending his antlers or giving him a helmet), so that the moose statue would once again win the title of the world's largest moose.[7] The Norwegians responded and have stated that they will not give up the world record without a fight. News outlets from all over the globe have mentioned the contest.

The Canadians do have one edge over Norway—their moose was built by Canadians in the country where it resides, making it essentially a 'native' moose; the Norway statue instead, while being conceived by Norwegian artist Linda Bakke, was erected in China and imported largely as a cost-saving measure.[8]

In October 2019, Mac reclaimed the title of the world's tallest moose when a new set of antlers was installed, raising its height to 10.36 metres (34.0 ft).[2]

References
  1. "MAC the Moose & the Snowbird Tutor Jet". Tourism Moose Jaw. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  2. "Mac the Moose reclaims world's tallest moose title after getting new rack". CBC News. The Canadian Press. 8 October 2019. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
  3. "Vandals target 'Mac" the moose". Canadian Broadcasting Company. September 2, 2001. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  4. Raquel, Fletcher. "Mac the Moose has Norwegian Rival". Global News. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  5. "Moose Jaw's moose gets its jaw back". Canadian Broadcasting Company. August 8, 2007. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  6. "World's biggest elk statue arrives in Oslo". The Local No. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  7. Cecco, Leyland (2019-01-18). "'An egregious offence': Canada battles Norway for tallest moose statue". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2019-01-24.
  8. "The Word's Biggest Elk Statue - In Norway".
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