Groundhog Day Staten Island Zoo, Groundhog Chuck, Photo Credit : Reuters
Groundhog Day Staten Island Zoo, Groundhog Chuck, Photo Credit : Reuters
STATEN ISLAND — Staten Island Chuck, the borough’s famed weather-forecasting groundhog, saw his shadow on Groundhog Day, signaling six more weeks of winter during a publicly televised ceremony at the Staten Island Zoo.
The annual event that was publicly streamed, drew elected officials, community leaders, students, and families despite cold conditions. Staten Island District Attorney Michael McMahon served as master of ceremonies, opening the program alongside Zoo Executive Director Ken Mitchell and leading a gathering that blended civic pride, humor, and tradition.
Local and state officials in attendance included City Council Members David Carr, Kamillah Hanks, and Frank Morano, State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, and Assembly Member Michael Tannousis. Students from Susan Wagner High School and preschoolers from the Staten Island YMCA also participated, continuing the zoo’s longstanding educational partnership.
Chuck, who lives year-round at the zoo under the care of animal specialists, has become a symbol of wildlife conservation and environmental education on Staten Island. The Staten Island Zoo officials noted that he receives regular veterinary care and follows a structured nutrition plan, with sweet potatoes among his favorite foods.
The officials said Chuck has earned a reputation as one of the nation’s most accurate groundhogs, mentioning the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ranked him at the top nationally, with an accuracy rate exceeding 85 percent.
After a countdown, Chuck emerged and cast his forecast. While winter will linger a bit longer, organizers reminded attendees that spring is still on the horizon, and that the tradition remains a beloved marker of the season for the Staten Island community.
Source: Widely televised and streamed event from Staten Island Zoo