PETA to Mayor Kirkland: ‘Honour Wiarton Willie’s Memory by Letting Wildlife Live in Peace’

For Immediate Release:
March 12, 2026

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

In response to the news this week that Wiarton Willie—the groundhog used to predict weather at the Wiarton Willie Festival on Groundhog Day—died in his sleep, PETA sent a letter to Mayor Jay Kirkland today urging him to cancel his plans to replace Willie with another live groundhog, and switch to a humane, animal-free option.

Groundhogs are prey species, meaning they are naturally shy, solitary animals with highly sensitive hearing, and subjecting them to the blaring voice of an announcer and hollering crowds is frightening and distressing. PETA points out in its letter that there are many ways to celebrate Groundhog Day without using a live animal—including a 3-D holographic projection, a willing human in a costume, or even an AI-powered animatronic groundhog that could actually predict the weather—and PETA stands at the ready to help make the switch.

“Groundhogs, and all wildlife, belong in nature where they can choose where they live, what they eat, and who they mate with,” says PETA President Tracy Reiman. “PETA urges Mayor Kirkland to honour Wiarton Willie’s memory by starting an exciting new tradition that all community members can enjoy, while letting wildlife live in peace.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

PETA’s letter to Kirkland follows.

March 12, 2026

His Worship Jay Kirkland

Mayor, Town of South Bruce Peninsula

Dear Mayor Kirkland:

I’m writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals—PETA entities have more than 10.4 million members and supporters globally, including more than 220,000 in Ontario—to offer our condolences on the loss of Wiarton Willie and in response to news that you’re looking to replace him. We strongly urge you to honor his memory and respect all wildlife by using an interesting alternative to a live groundhog. Allow me to elaborate.

As you know, groundhogs are prey species, meaning that they are naturally shy, sensitive animals who actively avoid humans when they can. Transporting a live groundhog and subjecting him to the blaring voice of an announcer as well as the hooting and hollering from an audience only feet away is frightening and distressing to them, as these animals have highly sensitive hearing. In the old days, before we knew anything much about wildlife, we thought that was amusing. Today, we should show our understanding and do what we can not to condone the inhumane treatment of animals.

There are plenty of excellent ways to celebrate Groundhog Day without using a live animal, and we’d gladly help provide one! You might consider using a 3-D holographic projection, a willing human in a costume (like the mascot who already attends), a stuffed toy, or an animatronic groundhog with artificial intelligence that could actually predict the weather. Or you could hold a contest for the best groundhog costume and allow the winner to give the prognostication—an event that elementary school children would surely love.

We trust that you would never knowingly exhibit animals in a manner that causes them distress. We respectfully request that you no longer use a live groundhog as your “Wiarton Willie” and exclude all other wildlife from future events. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Tracy Reiman

President

cc:       Danielle Edwards, Manager of Economic Development & Corporate Communications