Tregembo Zoo’s “Woodchuck” Day

Monday at the Tregembo Zoo will be all about shadow. No we are not talking about shadow the lack leopard, but the shadow of groundhog Monkey Junction Mike.

Sunday, the resident weather forecaster was right on schedule with his pre-game routine. “Sleeping and eating that’s all they do anyway; sleeping and eating this time of year,” said zoo owner, Sherry Tregembo.

This year, Mike is making an effort to cast a slimmer shadow, if he casts one at all, by getting in a little run before the big day. In fact, Mike doesn’t like to be called a hog at all. “The woodchuck would be more the official name. Groundhog because they kind of look like a little pig rooting around, I imagine that’s where the groundhog name comes from. Ours gets insulted being called a groundhog, it would rather be called a woodchuck,” said Sherry.

There’s a lot of pressure on Monkey Junction Mike and not just by the humans. The spider monkeys, Venus and Poko, depend on him for warm weather so they can return to their outdoor homes. And of course, his feathered friends look to Mike for direction on when they can return north.

The event is so big for the Tregembo community; the animals are already making sure they have a good view. Some are having better success than others. Unfortunately for Simba, that means he’ll have to give up his title, at least for the day. On Groundhog Day at Tregembo Zoo, Monkey Junction Mike is the king.

If Mike sees his shadow tomorrow it will mean six more weeks of winter weather. If he doesn’t, we should be in for some warmer weather.