With the world-famous Groundhog Day approaching on February 2nd, there’s a fresh effort to replace the animal used in the shadowy weather prognostication in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. This time People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is hoping the public is agreeable to their new idea. Calling the groundhog’s weather prediction no more accurate than flipping a coin, PETA urged compassion for Punxsutawney Phil. “He’s not a meteorologist and deserves better than to be exploited every year for tourism money,” said PETA president Tom Dunkel. Each year on February 2nd, during the time when groundhogs typically hibernate, a ceremony takes place to note if Phil will emerge and predict an early spring, or 6 more weeks of winter if his shadow is seen. Tim Roche, a meteorologist at Weather Underground, has observed Phil's predictions from from 1969 on, and the groundhog's overall accuracy rate is about 36%. While PETA wants Phil replaced by flipping a coin, social media has exploded with comments to the contrary, suggesting that PETA is taking itself a little too seriously. One commenter asked, “Shall we call the beloved Bill Murray movie “Gold Coin Day” now?
