PETA is once again trying to retirePunxsutawney Philahead ofGroundhog Dayon Feb. 2.
Per legend, if the groundhog emerges from its burrow and sees its shadow, it will return to its den, forecasting six more weeks of winter. If the groundhog does not see its shadow, it's assumed spring will come early. Last year, the rodent saw its shadow, predicting a longer winter.
However, the nonprofit has repeatedly tried to sway Pennsylvania officials from using a live animal for the tradition. Last year, PETA offered to replace therodentwith a vegan"weather reveal" cake, a proposal officials declined.
This year, PETA wants to switch out Punxsutawney Phil in exchange for a massive, state-of-the-art, 3D projection of a groundhog — complete with vocal weather predictions — if the animal and his family are able to retire to a reputable sanctuary, a PETAnews releasestates.
"Every year, this terrified little animal is subjected to loud announcers and noisy crowds and held up and waved around without any regard for his feelings, welfare, or instincts," PETA wrote in this year's letter to Tom Dunkel, the president of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club.
"Phil feels fear and discomfort just as humans do, and he's not a willing participant in this annual spectacle. And with the hologram, the town could still make a buck out of Chuck."
"Pixelated popstars are headlining concerts and long departed celebrities are attending conventions, so why not put that technology to good use: on a hologram that lets therealPhil hibernate in peace," PETA Founder Ingrid Newkirk said.
"PETA is urging the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club tochuckits tired tradition of harassing a shy animal and give Gobbler's Knob aglow-upwith a phantom prognosticator."
More:Get ready for Groundhog Day: What it means if he sees his shadow, everything to know
Why could the tradition be bad for groundhogs?
According to the animal rights organization, groundhogs are naturally shy and avoid humans. They typically enjoy burrowing, exploring and hibernating. Phil is kept in a small enclosure year-round, which prevents him from engaging in those activities, PETA says.
Other suggestions PETA has had to replace Punxsutawney Phil include a giant gold coin and predicting the weather with persimmon seeds.
Pennsylvania governor isn't going for it
Pennsylvania's governor seemingly isn't a fan of changing up the tradition, one that has been going for over a 100 years.
While the Groundhog Day tradition as we know it today started in 1887, Phil has been making his predictions since 1886.
Last year, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro declined PETA's cake offer. He responded in an X post saying, "Come and take it."
This year's hologram bid also doesn't appear like it'll be successful.
Shapiro responded to this year's hologram suggestion with anX postfeaturing a photo of a groundhog with a yellow background above the words "Don't tread on me," a reference to the Gadsden Flag, used in Revolutionary War America.
Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at mdelrey@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:PETA's latest Punxsutawney Phil replacement is a 3D hologram
