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PETA Has Once Again Called For Punxsutawney Phil To Retire

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Author Screamin' Scott
Groundhog handler AJ Derume holds Punxsutawney Phil, who saw his shadow, Jeff Swensen / Stringer via Getty Images

It’s not the first time PETA has called for Punxsutawney Phil to retire. Punxsutawney Phil has been on the group PETA crosshairs for quite some time. This time around the request is a little different idea than normal. A gold coin could replace America’s most famous rodent weather forecaster.

Who Is PETA And Why Do They Want Phil? 

PETA  (The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.) said it wrote to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club’s president offering a new twist in the prediction of an early Spring or six more weeks of Winter.  Instead of handling Phil to see if he sees his shadow the great big idea of the day is  “a giant coin.”  That way Phil, can retire and send him to a sanctuary.

PETA Has More Ideas Up There Sleeve

Also in the letter sent to the president was a suggestion to use new A.I. technology or a human dressed up like a groundhog.

Groundhog Day Predictions 

The annual Groundhog Day ceremony in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, at the famous Gobbler’s Knob dates back to 1887. But even Phil certainly isn’t perfect. The event is free and held on Friday, February  2nd, 2024. How good is Phil at predicting a longer winter or early spring? Since 1887, Punxsutawney Phil has predicted the weather outlook 127 times. He has seen his shadow the most, as he has predicted a longer winter 107 times, per USA Today. That comes to about 84%.

Punxsutawney Phil Fact

Phil does not appear in the 1993 movie, “Groundhog Day.” Phil has a stand in ground hog in his place for the movie.  Punxsutawney officials, upset that their town was not used for filming, refused to allow the real Punxsutawney Phil to appear in the film. Groundhog Day movie was filmed in different locations around Woodstock, Illinois near director Harold Ramis’s home.

Original Movie Trailer For, ” Groundhog Day”

 

 

Are You A Phil Fanatic?

Watch the Groundhog Day Event Right From This Link HERE

The History of Groundhog Day & 6 Facts You May Not Have Known

Groundhog Day is celebrated every year on February 2; the holiday started in 1887 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Each year, Punxsutawney Phil makes his prediction about whether we will get an early spring or six more weeks of winter. If he sees his shadow when he comes out of his burrow, that means six more weeks of winter, but if he doesn’t see his shadow, an early spring!

Want to see what Phil decides? You can watch him make his prediction this 136th Groundhog Day online here: www.visitpa.com/groundhog-day-live-stream/.

  • The History of Groundhog Day

    The tradition of Groundhog Day started in Europe as Candlemas Day, clergy would bless and distribute candles needed for winter, which represented how long the winter would be. In the 1700s Germans who settled in Pennsylvania brought the custom to America but selected an animal to predict the weather.

  • First Celebration of Groundhog Day

    In 1886 a local newspaper first wrote about Groundhog Day, but the first official celebration of Groundhog Day took place in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania on February 2, 1887. A group of businessmen made their way to Gobbler’s Knob and formed the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. Nowadays, every February 2, spectators attend Groundhog Day events in Punxsutawney.

  • Punxsutawney Phil's Odds

    Punxsutawney Phil has seen his shadow ninety-seven times, and has not seen it fifteen times, making his predictions accurate approximately 39% of the time.

  • Groundhogs Live in Burrows

    Groundhogs grow between eight to twelve pounds and live between six to eight years. They dig burrows for homes that can be anywhere from eight to sixty-six feet long and hibernate in their burrows until February 2nd.

  • True Hibernators

    Groundhogs are called “true hibernators” because they can reduce their heartbeat to as little as five beats per minute and drop their body temperature down to 41 degrees Fahrenheit while they hibernate.

  • It was Almost Badgers Day

    When the Germans settled in Pennsylvania they had a hard time finding badgers which they traditionally used on Candlemas Day, so they made the switch the a groundhog.

  • Punxsutawney Phil is Married

    Phil has a wife named Phyllis and they both live in the town library at Gobbler’s Knob.

  • People Used to Eat The Groundhog

    During the first celebration, The Punxsutawney Groundhog considered the groundhog to be a delicacy, so they ate their namesake.

Born in Mt Clemens, Screamin’ Scott has been a part of the Detroit airwaves for 30-plus years. With 40 years of experience in radio. When he’s not out on the streets for WCSX, you can find him devoting time to local charities with his, “Screamin Angels”; and for 16 years with Rock 4 Tots charity. And last 10 years with his local band, "Chit!." Screamin Scott likes to write about nostalgic Detroit area memories, classic rock, and local metro Detroit topics.
Screamin’ Scott

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