PETA proposes a hologram of a groundhog for future Groundhog Days

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has a proposal for the future of Groundhog Day. The animal protection organization wants it Replace existing live groundhogPunxsutawney Phil, with a 3D version so the live animal doesn’t appear annually.

On Groundhog Day, February 2 of each year, a groundhog is brought into Pennsylvania to see if it sees its shadow. It is an ancient tradition linked to the superstition that if a hibernating animal sees its shadow on this day, winter will last for another six weeks.

PETA turned the proposal over to Tom Dunkle, PETA’s president Punxsutawney Groundhog Clubthe group that runs America’s most famous Groundhog Day celebration. PETA’s bid will provide the technology to replace Punxsutawney Phil so he and his family can retire in a safe haven.

The group revealed two 3D images of Punxsutawney Phil – a blue image surrounded by snowflakes that read “6 more weeks of winter,” and a pink image surrounded by flowers, with text declaring “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 is not so far-fetched. Celebrities have been appearing in 3D for years, including late musicians Tupac Shakur and Elvis Presley. However, not everyone is in favor of replacing people (or animals) with holograms. Back in 2018, said singer Elton John Becoming a hologram was “the last thing I wanted.”

Ingrid Newkirk, PETA’s founder, said the hologram “allows the real Phil to hibernate in peace.” Part of PETA’s motto is “Animals are not ours to use for entertainment.” The group also says, “When given the opportunity, groundhogs, which are naturally shy, avoid humans and enjoy hiding, exploring, and hibernating — all of which are impossible in the small cage an elephant keeps year-round.”

There is no information yet on whether club representatives have responded to Beta’s offer.