Winnipeg Willow, Canadian Groundhog, Has Died

Winnipeg Willow, Canada’s famous groundhog, died on Monday most likely caused by old age. The groundhog lived at a wildlife rehabilitation center for the last five years. Celebrations for Groundhog Dog in Manitoba have been canceled.

Upon hearing the news of the groundhog’s death, Pennsylvania’s Groundhog Club’s Inner Circle, expressed surprised at the news.

“There is no other groundhog like Phil,” said Jeff Grube, member of the Inner Circle, referring to Punxsutawney Phil, pictured in 2005 above, the most famous groundhog in the U.S. “It all started here. We’re in our 130th year.”

Groundhog Day is Feb.  2, and according to their website, “they’re a group of local dignitaries responsible for carrying on the tradition of Groundhog Day every year. They’re the ones who are not only responsible for planning the events every year, but they’re also responsible for the feeding and care of Phil himself!”

Grube went on to add that Pennsylvania’s groundhog is “the standard” when it comes to predicting when spring will come.

“He’s like a celebrity: When the cameras come, he perks up and hams it up,” Grube said. “But he’s trying to hibernate this time of year, so we limit his exposure, because he gets a little cranky. He’ll bite us if he’s had too much.”

Events for Groundhog Day are mostly sold out, but local station televised the event showing whether Phil sees his shadow or not live.

The “forecast’ is scheduled for 7:25 AM Tuesday morning.