PETA is advocating for the retirement of Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog famously known for predicting the weather in the U.S. every year. They propose replacing him with a giant coin.
The animal rights group has written a letter to Tom Dunkel, the president of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, urging them to replace the well-known groundhog with a large coin in celebration of Groundhog Day on February 2nd.
PETA expressed that the individual in question is not a professional weather expert, and that they should be treated with more respect instead of being constantly used for financial gain in the tourism industry.
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PETA approached the club in 2022, suggesting the use of a persimmon tree to forecast the weather instead of relying on Phil.
During that time, Ingrid Newkirk, the president of PETA, stated that Phil is highly skilled in digging holes, searching for food, and living in accordance with his natural instincts rather than being knowledgeable in meteorology.
According to Newkirk, PETA wants to assist the groundhog club in starting a more compassionate February 2nd celebration. They propose that Phil, along with his companion, should be transferred to a trustworthy sanctuary. This way, Phil can live without any concerns, without being handled and spun around, and have the opportunity to engage in natural behaviors that he is currently deprived of in his Plexiglas enclosure.
For over a century, people from both the local community and visitors from distant places have been making their way to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Their purpose is to witness the appearance of a small, furry creature named Phil as he emerges from his temporary dwelling. Depending on whether Phil sees his shadow or not, it will indicate either six additional weeks of winter or an early arrival of spring.
In 1993, the film Groundhog Day was released, featuring Bill Murray in the role of a frustrated weatherman trapped in a repetitive time cycle.
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