PETA requests Malverne Mel’s retirement

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As is annual tradition, the village of Malverne celebrates Groundhog Day with the ceremonial prediction from Malverne Mel indicating if there will be an early spring or six more weeks of winter. This year, the occasion has been called out by PETA for the risks taken with the groundhog during the celebration.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA,  in partnership with Humane Long Island, sent a letter to Malverne Mayor Tim Sullivan on Jan. 21, asking the mayor to consider adopting alternative methods for celebrating Groundhog Day, such as using an animatronics groundhog or having a human dress in a groundhog costume. These options will not cause any harm or distress to the groundhog.

This letter was sent in light of Malverne Mel escaping his handlers at last year’s ceremony and attempting to run away from the celebration. Mel was safely captured and the event continued as planned.

“Groundhogs are shy animals,” said Debbie Metzler, senior director of captive wildlife for PETA. “They would never choose to be exposed to flashing cameras, human handling or noisy crowds. So we are reminding the mayor and all Malvernites that Mel is an individual, and although he’s intelligent and self-aware, he cannot predict the weather. And even if he could, it’s not OK to stress out a terrified wild animal for a gimmick.”

Groundhogs are woken from hibernation in order to partake in these annual celebrations, which cause distress for these animals. Further harm occurs throughout the celebration, as the groundhogs closely interact with humans, a species they usually avoid.

PETA has continually campaigned for Groundhog Day ceremonies to adopt more human methods for their celebrations, reaching out to Punxsutawney Phil and Staten Island Chuck.

This year they have also reached out to Mel’s local competition Holtsville Hal. The Brookhaven Wildlife and Ecology Center in Holtsville, where Hal’s ceremony takes place, is currently under investigation concerning allegations of animal neglect and medical malpractice after nine former employees provided this information to Newsday.

“We’re urging people not to allow the human-washing of the Holtsville Ecology site by attending Groundhog Day with Holtsville Hal,” said John Di Leonardo, Malverne native and executive director of Humane Long Island. “Simultaneously, we’re urging Malverne to retire Malverne Mel and stop forcing him to be used as a prop for a photo-op.”

“It’s incredibly cruel and disingenuous. I mean, everyone knows groundhogs can’t predict the weather,” said Di Leonardo. “It’s just an old and tired tradition that really needs to end.”

PETA and Humane LI suggest Malverne have a willing person dress up as Mel, PETA is even willing to provide the costume. Last year, the village of Babylon opted to have a human performer dress up as Babylon Belle.

“I was a Malverne resident for 25 years. Humane Long Island was founded in Malverne,” said Di Leonardo. “It breaks my heart every single year that you know that they continue to exploit animals for photo-ops, when they could be using animatronics, they could be using human performers, they could be using so many other things. I mean we need to bring Malverne’s tradition into the 21st century and stop exploiting scared animals who want to be nowhere near humans.”

In response to PETA’s letter, Mayor Sullivan makes clear that during the annual ceremony, Malverne Mel is only ever handled by his caretaker. Malverne Mel, along with his handler, is provided by the STAR Foundation (Save the Animal Rescue Foundation) in return for a donation that helps further their goals to provide a safe haven for injured animals.

“It’s a good foundation that we like to support,” said Sullivan. “And so long as they have a groundhog, I think that they’re agreeable to lending him to our village as a fund, educational opportunity for the children of the community.”

This year the celebration will continue as planned, with Malverne Mel partaking in the event. But Sullivan is open to continued communication with PETA and Humane LI.