Fresh rack set to help Mac reclaim world’s largest moose title

Mac the Moose is now locking horns with Norway in the international fight to reclaim the title of world’s largest moose.

In 2015, the Norwegians stole the crown when they built their silver Storelgen moose about a foot taller than Mac. This was pointed out in a viral video earlier this month by Saskatchewan social media personalities Justin and Greg.

Moose Jaw Mayor @FraserTolmie reads a statement from #MacTheMoose re: reclaiming the title of world’s tallest moose. (cc: Norway's #Storelgen) #CityMJ #sask #sk pic.twitter.com/cQmXiQLUmq

— Jessie Anton (@jessieanton_) January 21, 2019

On Monday, Moose Jaw mayor Fraser Tolmie read a statement “prepared” by the city’s 32-foot statue, addressing the stature dispute.

“I bear no grudge against my shiny cloven-hooved counterpart, Storelgen,” Tolmie read. “But much like my natural enemy, the bear, his Norwegian creators stalked me with predatory purpose, horning in on my territory.”

Tolmie went on to say, on behalf of Mac, that “this is not a size issue, it is a pride issue.”

The next steps to steal back the crown

Over the past week, thousands of suggestions have poured in from around the world on how to make Mac grow taller than Storelgen, according to Jacki L’Heaureaux-Mason, the executive director of Tourism Moose Jaw. However, she said they’ve settled on giving Mac a larger rack.

“A Mountie riding Mac with a cup of Tim Horton’s and a hockey stick couldn’t be more Canadian, but I think, realistically, we’ve got to have a bigger moose,” L’Heaureaux-Mason said.

Now, the next step is to assess Mac’s structural engineering to see if it’s sturdy enough to accommodate a fresh, superior set of antlers. If not, then Tourism Moose Jaw will look to bulk up the statue’s legs and torso.

Last case scenario, L’Heaureaux-Mason said, they “wouldn’t rule out” building a new moose all together.

But nothing is possible, she added, until they get the money and professionals in line to figure it out.

Because Tourism Moose Jaw is a non-profit, L’Heaureaux-Mason noted no taxpayers’ money will go into making Mac taller.

All funds are coming by way of direct community donations or through a GoFundMe page.