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People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has a proposal for the future of Groundhog Day. The animal-protection organization wants to replace the existing live groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, with a holographic version so the live animal no longer has to appear annually.
On Groundhog Day, Feb. 2 each year, the Pennsylvania groundhog is brought out to see if it sees its shadow. It's a longstanding tradition tied to a superstition that if a hibernating animal sees its shadow on this day, winter will continue for six more weeks.
PETA delivered the proposal to Tom Dunkel, the president of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, the group that runs America's best-known Groundhog Day celebration. PETA's offer would provide the technology to replace Punxsutawney Phil so he and his family can retire to a sanctuary.
The group revealed two holographic images of Punxsutawney Phil -- a blue one surrounded by snowflakes proclaiming, "6 more weeks of winter," and a pink one surrounded by flowers, with text proclaiming, "early spring."
Representatives for PETA and the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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The concept of replacing Punxsutawney Phil with a hologram isn't all that far-fetched. Celebrities have appeared in hologram form for years, including the late musicians Tupac Shakur and Elvis Presley. Not everyone is in favor of replacing people (or animals) with holograms, however. Back in 2018, singer Elton John said becoming a hologram was "the last thing I want."
The hologram "lets the real Phil hibernate in peace," said PETA Founder Ingrid Newkirk. Part of PETA's motto is "animals are not ours to use for entertainment." The group also says, "when given the chance, naturally shy groundhogs avoid humans and enjoy burrowing, exploring, and hibernating -- all of which are impossible in the small enclosure Phil is kept in year-round."
There's no word yet on whether the club's representatives have responded to PETA's offer.
