Wiarton Willie, famed groundhog, has died
This iteration of Willie was appointed in 2023.
Wiarton Willie, Ontario’s most famous groundhog, has died. Again.
This iteration of Willie had been leading Groundhog Day festivities for three years.
The Town of South Bruce Peninsula made the sad announcement on Tuesday.
“It is with great sadness that the Town of South Bruce Peninsula announces that our beloved weather prognosticator, Wiarton Willie, has passed away peacefully in sleep,” the town says in a statement.
“Willie was a curious and charismatic groundhog who delighted both residents and visitors. Willie enjoyed basking in the summer sun, taking long winter naps, and indulging in favourite foods.”
Willie was one of three groundhogs who predicted an early spring this year.
The Wiarton Willie festival has been a groundhog tradition for 70 years. Officials say they will begin searching for a new Willie in the days to come.
Over the years, Willie has been both an albino and a brown groundhog.
The original Wiarton Willie served as mascot from 1956 until he passed in 1999. Deaths and replacements have also occurred in 2003, 2017, 2020 (but his death wasn't revealed until 2021), and 2023.
Header image: An undated photo of Wiarton Willie, posted to Instagram by the Town of South Bruce Peninsula.