PETA is advocating for the retirement of Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog known for his annual weather predictions in the United States. They propose replacing him with a large coin instead.
The animal rights group has written a letter to Tom Dunkel, the president of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, asking them to replace the traditional groundhog with a large coin for the celebration of Groundhog Day on February 2nd.
PETA expressed that the person being referred to is not a meteorologist, and they believe that he should be given more respect instead of being used solely for generating tourism revenue every year.
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PETA made a request to the club in 2022, suggesting the use of a persimmon tree as a weather predictor instead of relying on Phil.
"According to PETA president Ingrid Newkirk, Phil is highly skilled in digging underground, searching for food, and living according to his natural instincts, rather than having expertise in predicting weather conditions."
PETA has expressed their desire to assist the groundhog club in starting a more compassionate February 2nd celebration. They are advocating for Phil and his companion to be relocated to a trustworthy sanctuary. This would allow them to live without fear, without being handled and spun around, and to engage in the natural behaviors that they are currently deprived of in their Plexiglas enclosure, according to Newkirk.
Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania has been a popular destination for both residents and visitors since 1887. People travel from all over to witness the annual event where a groundhog named Phil emerges from his temporary dwelling. Depending on whether Phil sees his shadow or not, it is believed to predict either six more weeks of winter or an early arrival of spring.
In 1993, the film "Groundhog Day" was released, featuring Bill Murray playing the role of a weatherman who is unhappy and trapped in a repetitive time cycle.
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