Move over, Mac: Moose Jaw mascot loses title of world's tallest moose

For 30 years, Mac the moose has towered over Moose Jaw, but he's no longer the world's tallest moose.

For 30 years he's been a must-see in the city of Moose Jaw.

Not only is Mac a community icon, he's also held the title of tallest moose in the world.

But now, there's another gentle giant who’s giving the Friendly City's mascot a run for his money.

Norway has snared Mac’s title with a 10.1-metre tall likeness that has a little bit of a height advantage.

“In centimetres, he’s 30 centimetres higher than what Mac is and literally, in the scheme of things, 30 centimetres is not a whole lot,” said Candis Kirkpatrick, executive director of Moose Jaw’s tourism booth.

Norway's statue was created and produced in China, while Mac was designed in 1984 by local artist Dan Fould. Both figures are built from steel but Mac is covered in cement with a protective coating.

This isn't the first time mac has gone through tough times.

“Eight years ago, Mac’s jaw broke loose and, unfortunately, it had to be repaired,” Kirkpatrick said. “It was quite an undertaking.”

Moose Jaw has no desire to compete with Norway, so a facelift for Mac is out. In any event, the loss of his title only seems to have increased Mac's popularity.

“Mac is Mac. There will never be another one,” Kirkpatrick said. “We could never duplicate him.”

Based on a report by CTV Regina’s Cally Stephanow