PETA offers to replace Punxsutawney Phil with groundhog hologram

"PETA is proposing to replace Punxsutawney Phil with a high-tech hologram for Groundhog Day if he and his family can retire to an animal sanctuary. In a letter addressed to Punxsutawney Groundhog Club President Tom Dunkel, the animal rights organization urges Phil's retirement over concerns for his welfare, while offering to swap the furry marmot for a massive, state-of-the-art, 3-D projection of a groundhog complete with vocal weather predictions to light up the stage at Gobbler's Knob each year."

"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 the real Phil hibernate in peace, says PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk. PETA is urging the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club to chuck its tired tradition of harassing a shy animal and give Gobbler's Knob a glow-up with a phantom prognosticator."

"What's more, groundhogs are naturally timid creatures who actively avoid humans, PETA says. They dislike human smells, fear loud noises, abhor gatherings and prefer to stay in their burrows, the letter reads. Yet 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 proposes retiring Punxsutawney Phil and his family to a reputable animal sanctuary and replacing Phil's public appearance with a state-of-the-art 3-D hologram that delivers vocal weather predictions at Gobbler's Knob each year. PETA contends that Phil's year-round enclosure is too small for normal burrowing, exploration, and proper hibernation. Groundhogs are described as naturally timid, avoiding humans, disliking human smells, fearing loud noises, abhorring gatherings, and preferring their burrows. Phil is reportedly subjected annually to loud announcers, noisy crowds, and handling that conflicts with his instincts and welfare. PETA argues a holographic prognosticator would let Phil hibernate in peace while still engaging audiences.

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