Groundhog dies days before Groundhog Day

As the 1993 Bill Murray film taught us, Groundhog Day is a holiday celebrated once a year on February 2.

According to folklore surrounding the festivities if the groundhog sees its shadow as it emerges from its burrow there will be six more weeks of winter.

However, if the animal is unable to see its shadow (aka it's cloudy) spring will come early.

But residents of Manitoba, Canada, will have to cope without the help of their groundhog, Winnipeg Willow, this Groundhog Day.

Handlers at the Prairie Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Winnipeg confirmed the death of their resident groundhog on Saturday.

The centre posted a statement on its Facebook page:

We are in complete shock and sadness with tears coming down our face to announce the passing of Winnipeg Willow this evening.

She was acting her normal self this morning and eating a carrot but came in this evening to find her gone.

She will be missed by my family and volunteers.

You can read the post in full here:

RIP.

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