Biggest-ever elk statue arrives in Norway
Jun 1, 2015
Shining polished steel beast stands 10 metres tall
The biggest elk statue the world has ever seen has arrived in Oslo, to be transported to its home at the mid-point of the road between the Norwegian capital and Trondheim.
The shining polished steel beast reflects the natural scenery around and stands 10 metres tall, 30cm taller than Mac the Moose, a similar statue in Canada. As previously reported, Storelgen, or Big Elk, was created by local artist Linda Bakke and was commissioned by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration to use art to reduce traffic accidents.
“The idea is that people will stop to have a look at the elk and at the same time stretch their legs and get some fresh air,” Bakke told broadcaster TV2.
It is hoped the statue will remind drivers of the dangers wildlife present and the importance of keeping speeds low, as well as break the monotony of driving. The moose was made in China, where costs are cheaper.
The Local
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about
Canadian
Mac The Moose
- If you have dropped in to our Visitor Centre you will already have met Mac the Moose who stands guard outside.
- Mac was “born” in 1984, the brainchild of former tourism
supporters from the city. His main job was to lure visitors into the
city and his duties pretty much remain the same today.
- Touted as the World’s Largest Moose, Mac stands 32 feet tall and
weighs in at 10 tons – or in today’s terms is 10 meters tall, weighing
9000 kilograms. A pretty big boy!
- Mac was constructed by Saskatoon artist, Don Foulds using a
steel frame, covered with metal mesh and completed with 4 coats of
cement.
- A contest was held to name the moose and the winner was Mac, after late city alderman and moose booster, Les MacKenzie.
- Mac was moved in 2004,amid great fanfare, from his location 2 km down the road. For safety sake, he was fenced in in 2009 after he lost part of his jaw.
- http://www.tourismmoosejaw.ca/tourism-stuff/mac-the-moose/
