Animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) wants the Town of South Bruce Peninsula to reconsider looking for another Wiarton Willie.
The famous prognosticating groundhog Willie passed away earlier this week and the Town said in a statement, “Willie was a curious and charismatic groundhog who delighted both residents and visitors. Willie enjoyed basking in the summer sun, taking long winter naps, and indulging in favourite foods.”
The Town also said it would begin the search for a new weather prognosticator.
Amanda Brody, Campaign Manager at PETA says, “With the passing of Willie, the time really is now for the Town of South Bruce Peninsula to set an example that honours his memory and shows respect for all wildlife by ending this cruel tradition.”
PETA sent a letter to Mayor Jay Kirkland urging council to cancel plans to replace Willie with another live groundhog, and switch to an animal-free option.
PETA says, “Groundhogs are prey species, meaning they are naturally shy, solitary animals with highly sensitive hearing, and subjecting them to the blaring voice of an announcer and hollering crowds is frightening and distressing.”
The rights group suggests there are other ways to celebrate Groundhog Day without using a live animal including, it says, “A 3-D holographic projection, a willing human in a costume, or even an AI-powered animatronic groundhog that could actually predict the weather- and PETA stands at the ready to help make the switch” They also suggest the option of holding a contest for the best groundhog costume and allowing the winner to give the prognostication.
“Anything other than taking another groundhog from his natural environment and treating him like a captive prop, rather than the intelligent sentient being that he is,” says Brody.
Brody says, “PETA is happy to help the Town of South Bruce Peninsula transition to a fun and humane alternative. We just sent the letter today, so we haven’t heard back from them but we’re happy to help in any way because the Town really now has an opportunity to set a positive example and show respect for groundhogs everywhere by ending its search for a new live groundhog and replacing Willie with a fun, humane alternative.”
She adds, “No wild animal would choose to live in confinement. Willie was a sensitive, self-aware individual, but he can’t predict the weather. There’s just no reason to keep these wild animals in confinement instead of in nature where they belong. It’s just an annual gimmick and that makes it animal abuse. So PETA is urging event organizers to end this tradition now and observe Groundhog Day in a way that doesn’t involve confining live animals.”
Wiarton Willie and his successors have lived in a large enclosure when not part of prediction morning, and have had a designated caretaker.
PETA- whose motto reads, in part, that ‘animals are not ours to use for entertainment,’ has booklets asserting ‘every animal is someone’ and it offers free empathy kits, educational materials and activism guides. You can learn more about that at PETA.org