Canada and Norway are widely-regarded as two of the friendliest nations on the planet.

However the proud countries are involved in quite a big spat – over the size of their moose statues.

Both sides are refusing to give in and the quarrel is threatening to turn into quite possibly the oddest diplomatic row ever.

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For years, the city of Moose Jaw in Saskatchewan, Canada, held the record for having the biggest statue.


‘Mac the Moose’ stands at a proud 32-feet high (9.75m) and is a beloved figure to all who pass through the area.

Norway, it seems, got a little jealous.



They have now made their own statue, a shiny beast that goes by the name of Storelgen – or ‘Big Moose’ – that stands 30cm taller.

Fraser Tolmie, mayor of Moose Jaw, told the BBC: ‘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.’

He has said a popular suggestion is to give Mac a bigger pair of antlers, although others have suggested the giant animal is given a pair of stilettos.

A pair of comedians called Norway’s statue ‘an egregious offence’ and have gone one stage further.

Justin Greeves and Greg Moore have created a GoFundMe page to raise the funds to ensure Mac can be returned to his former glory and claim back the title that is rightfully his.

Mac the moose has been the tallest moose in the world since 1984 (Picture: GoFundMe)

That was until Storelgen was built in Norway, igniting an international war (Picture: Visit Norway)

It said: ‘The Norwegians deliberately and intentionally stole the title from us with the creation of “Storelgen” – an ostentatious chrome moose made to be exactly 30cm taller than Mac.

‘The artist, Linda Bakke says it was important that the elk was made higher than Mac the Moose, and, we quote, “it will be much nicer than Mac the Moose.” How dare she.’

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Justin also rallied the inhabitants and issued a rallying cry to get them to fight back.

He said: ‘You are a city famous around the world for the glorious name of Moose Jaw.

‘And everyone that comes by, knows that this should be the world’s tallest moose.’

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But the Norweigans are not going down without a fight and say they will be prepared to increase the size of their moose to 20 metres if necessary.

Linda Otnes Henriksen, Stor-Elvdal’s deputy mayor released her own video and said: ‘We’re not letting this one go. Not a chance. We’re going to do whatever we can to make sure this is the world’s tallest moose – or biggest moose in the future, as well.’

She added she was also open to crowdfunding an even bigger moose but said Norwegians were waiting to see Canadian plans for ‘enlarging their moose’.

But there could be a betrayal brewing in the European nation after a Facebook poll by Norwegian online newspaper Dagbladet, marked Mac as the favourite Moose among 60% of more than 20,000 online voters.



If you wish to assist Moose Jaw in their quest to return Mac’s title to him please click here.

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