A groundhog in Kentucky died on Groundhog Day, just days after predicting an early spring.
Major, a nearly 10-year-old rodent meteorologist at Second Chance Wildlife Center, died peacefully overnight of age-related heart disease, according to staff at the center.
“He was full of great energy until the end. He will forever be in our hearts. For those of us at the Center, especially those who have been with us all our lives, today It’s a sad day.” evacuation center announced On facebook.
“We know you are sad too. Please give a hug to all our friends. Please know that he is peacefully eating snacks, walking around, and ringing his bell. ”
Second Chance Wildlife Center said Major had been suffering from health problems for some time and had expected Major’s death. According to , groundhogs typically live up to 6 years old in the wild, but can live up to 14 years old in captivity. Wildlife Rescue League.
Major has lived in a shelter since being rescued as a baby and has spent the past 10 years predicting Groundhog Day.
“I think the Major probably had a 50-50 prediction of the weather,” says Brigitte Brouillard, the shelter’s founder. told Lex18 A few days before he died.
This past Groundhog Day was the first time the Major stepped out of the spotlight and handed over the forecasting duties to his young friend Josie Barrow.
At 7 a.m. Friday, she predicted an early spring — a prediction, Brouillard joked, that the major had made himself and passed on to his students earlier this week.
“She was a little nervous about what to do, so of course the Major took care of it. He kept ringing the bell trying to get out of the enclosure. When we let him out, he straightened up. I went to Josie and coached her. It’s great teamwork,” the shelter said.
