Once upon a time there was a moose… a very large moose, and it’s name was Mac. Standing over 10 metres tall and made from steel and concrete it was the undisputed king of the world. But all that was to change the day Big Elk came into being in 2015.
Fraser Tolmie, the mayor of Moose Jaw, said at the time, “We're considered to be very mannerly and respectful, but there are things you just don't do to Canadians. You don't mess with Mac the Moose.”
The Big Elk, also known as Storelgen (meaning 'big elk' in Norwegian), is now the world's second-tallest sculpture of an elk/moose, but held the title from its completion in October 2015 until October 2019. Created by the Norwegian artist Linda Bakke it’s made of polished stainless steel, The height is 10.3 metres (34 ft) and at the time of its completion it was about 50 centimetres (20 in) taller than Mac the Moose in Canada. The sculpture cost a little more than £170,000, and the Bjøråa picnic area and rest stop in the area, created by the NPRA, is worth more than £2.3 million.
Unfortunately Big Elk's rein (spot the bad joke) was to end in October 2019 when a new set of antlers was added to Mac the Moose, making it taller than the Big Elk, raising its height to 10.36 metres (34.0 ft).
As you can imagine we don't make giant Stainless Steel moose! but... did you hear about the famouse mouse that composed classical music? his name was Amadeus Moose-zart !