After weeks of locking antlers in a battle that’s garnered international attention, Canada and Norway’s diplomatic mission has ended in a truce, with the signing of a “moosarandum of understanding.”
In what may be the first-ever moose summit, it looks like Mac will reclaim his throne, ending the feud between the friendly city of Moose Jaw and the small Norwegian municipality of Stor-Elvdal.
“Linda has been very gracious and understands that with the public and private donations to make Mac the world’s tallest moose that we will be pursuing that,” Moose Jaw Mayor Fraser Tolmie said.
In exchange for conceding the claim to world’s tallest moose, Moose Jaw will recognize Norway’s statue as the shiniest and most attractive moose in the world. Because Norway’s moose is a work of art, unlike Mac, it can’t be changed.
“We’ve had talks about building a new moose in 20 metres gold,” the deputy mayor of Stor-Elvdal, Linda Henriksen, said. “I know the artist has been looking into it and it is possible, but it costs a lot of money.”
The cease-fire follows a declaration of moose-war after Mac was dethroned by Norway’s moose four years ago, by a mere 30 centimetres.
In January, it was brought to light by the hosts of YouTube’s the Justin & Greg Show and since then, Moose Jaw and Norway have been involved in a horned dilemma.
From tongue-in-cheek trash talk to songs and music videos, even the premier of Saskatchewan weighed in.
“Where the conversation started and where it is today, it really gives us a renewed faith in our world really and the people around the world,” Premier Scott Moe said.
Following a nearly weeklong moose summit, there is now talks of twinning the two cities. May 17 of each year will now be known as Norway Day in Moose Jaw and the birthday of Norway’s Storelgen on Oct. 16 will also be celebrated.
“Our communities are tied together in so many different ways than just having a moose and I think that’s some of the things we’re going to be building on,” Tolmie said.
Although the battle is over, Tolmie isn’t quite finished. Posing a new question to the people, ‘Should the moose replace the beaver as Canada’s national animal?’
“One of the things I’ve notice is that the people of Canada have rallied so that begs the question, what does the moose mean to the Canadian people? Tolmie asked. “We’ve changed the lyrics to our national anthem, why not change our national animal?”
