Canadian Groundhog Fred la Marmotte Discovered Useless Earlier than Groundhog Day

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Barry Reeger/AP/Shutterstock (13751397e) Groundhog Club handler A.J. Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 137th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., . Phil's handlers said that the groundhog has forecast six more weeks of winter Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney, United States - 02 Feb 2023

Necessary Credit score: Photograph by Barry Reeger/AP/Shutterstock (13751397e) Groundhog Membership handler A.J. Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil, the climate prognosticating groundhog, through the 137th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., . Phil’s handlers stated that the groundhog has forecast six extra weeks of winter Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney, United States – 02 Feb 2023

Barry Reeger/AP/Shutterstock

Canadian groundhog Fred la Marmotte died earlier than he might predict the arrival of the spring season on Groundhog Day on Thursday.

Fred, 9, was found dead overnight by Roberto Blondin, the organizer of the annual la Jour de Fred occasion — or Fred’s day — in Val-d’Espoir, Quebec, Reuters reported.

RELATED: New Jersey’s Weather Predicting Groundhog Milltown Mel Dies Days Before Groundhog Day 2022

In line with The Guardian, Fred confirmed “no vital signs” after Blondin tried to wake him, native media reported. Blondin stated Fred could have died final yr whereas in hibernation, per Reuters.

“In life, the one factor that is sure is that nothing is definite,” Blondin stated, based on the outlet. “Effectively, this yr it is true. It is sadly true. I announce to you that Fred is useless.”

RELATED VIDEO: Punxsutawney Phil Predicts 6 Extra Weeks of Winter on Groundhog Day 2021 amid Winter Storm

By no means miss a narrative — join PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to remain up-to-date on one of the best of what PEOPLE has to supply, from juicy celeb information to forcing human curiosity tales.

The occasion went on with out Fred, as Blondin gave a stuffed toy model of a groundhog to a baby standing within the solar to honor the custom.

A shadow was forged, forecasting that spring shall be delayed and that winter shall be extended for an additional six weeks.

The custom of Groundhog Day says that if a prognosticator groundhog sees its shadow on the morning of the vacation, there shall be six extra weeks of winter, but when the animal would not, then spring will arrive early.

Final yr, New Jersey groundhog Milltown Mel died days before he was speculated to make his annual Groundhog Day look on Feb. 2.

Due to Milltown Mel’s sudden loss of life and the shortcoming to recruit a brand new groundhog to make Mel’s 2022 prediction, Milltown Mel’s annual prediction ceremony was canceled.

Previous post Rui Hachimura’s No. 28 Lakers Jersey Pays Tribute to Kobe and Gigi Bryant
Next post After pope’s name for peace, violence rages in east DR Congo