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Live event canceled, but poetic Holtsville Hal still says 6 more weeks of cold

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People holding signs.

Holtsville Hal is said to have seen his shadow this morning, suggesting an extended winter for Long Island, but the weather-predicting critter’s Groundhog Day prediction went off without it’s usual pomp and circumstances.

There was no noisy crowd at Brookhaven Town’s Holtsville Ecology Site & Animal Preserve, no video posted on social media, and, seemingly, no human handling of a live groundhog.

Instead, there was a poem posted on Facebook and Instagram by Brookhaven Town Highway Superintendent Dan Losquadro reporting that Hal did indeed see his shadow.

“Hovering over me was a shadow quite big, I scurried back to my burrow and started to dig,” Losquadro narrated in social media posts from earlier today. “And so my friends, I can confirm to you, six more weeks of winter you can all look forward to!”

After reciting the poem, the town official cheerfully added, “Sorry, folks. Grab those winter coats and those hats. We’ll need them for a little while longer. Have a great day and stay warm.”

On Thursday, Losquadro had alerted the public via social media that the town would not be hosting its annual Groundhog Day spectacle: “While we will not be holding a public ceremony this year, check back on this page on Sunday, Feb. 2, at 7:25 a.m. to hear Holtsville Hal’s prognostication for 2025.”

A half-dozen protesters of the annual event, which is typically attended by dozens and dozens of residents, showed up at the ecology site holding signs condemning the use of a live groundhog at the event. Two of the protesters were former employees at the town facility, said John DiLeonardo with Humane Long Island.

“Humane Long Island is thrilled with Brookhaven’s decision not to expose Holtsville Hal to flashing cameras, human handling, or noisy crowds this Groundhog Day, following outcry from former employees and the public,” DiLeonardo told Greater Long Island. “Groundhogs are shy animals who would never choose to be put on display, especially in February when they should be hibernating.”

DiLeonardo added that Humane Long Island is urging Malverne “to follow suit by letting Malverne Mel sleep through next year’s festivities.”

“Our campaign to save the animals at Holtsville Ecology Site continues as we urge Brookhaven to take the next step by retiring Holtsville Hal and all of his friends to reputable sanctuaries where they can live more natural lives,” he said.

DiLeonardo said the town changed the Groundhog Day event in Holtsville to a virtual event after Humane Long Island urged Brookhaven not to participate at the last town board meeting.

Losquadro at the time of publication of this report, had not replied to a request for comment.

It’s unclear if the decision to not hold the traditional live event was affected by Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico’s request in December for the Suffolk District attorney to investigate allegations of animal neglect at the town’s Holtsville Ecology Site. Panico asked for the probe came after the death of Honey, a black bear that lived at the facility for 25 years.

The claims include reports of mistreatment and neglect raised by former employees of the center.

The Holtsville Ecology Site is operated by the Town of Brookhaven under its highway department, making the town directly responsible for the facility and the animals housed there. Panico said his request from an investigation is part of efforts to “protect animal welfare and ensure full transparency.”

Top photos: Protesters showed up at the Holtsville Ecology Site & Animal Preserve on Sunday to condemn the use of a live groundhog at its Groundhog Day event (Facebook).

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