**** LANDS/FORESTRY Media Release / Photo via Shubenacadie Wildlife Park
Shubenacadie Sam Ready for Groundhog Day Prediction
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Nova Scotians are invited to celebrate Groundhog Day with Shubenacadie Sam and watch him make his annual season change prediction from his home on Sunday, Feb. 2 at 8 a.m.
Folklore says winter will last for six more weeks if the groundhog sees its shadow. No shadow is a sign of an early spring.
Nova Scotians can watch Sam make the prediction live at the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park or via Sam Cam from his burrow at www.novascotiawebcams.com/en/webcams/shubenacadie-sam
Sam Cam is online now and the best time to tune in is 9:30 a.m. when he has his breakfast.
The wildlife park will also celebrate World Wetlands Day on Feb. 2 with educational exhibits that show the value of wetlands in our environment. Wetlands provide an important service in carbon storage, flood mitigation, habitat for wildlife and other ecological benefits.
“Groundhog Day is a celebration that reminds us of the important role weather plays in maritime life and culture. Sam and I invite everyone to watch the prediction at the wildlife park and enjoy hot drinks, family activities and informative displays,” said Iain Rankin, Minister of Lands and Forestry.
Quick Facts:
— the wildlife park opens at 7:30 a.m. and there is free admission until noon on Groundhog Day. Gates to the wildlife park trails open at 8:15 a.m.
— Sam will be the first groundhog to make a prediction, about an hour before his fellow groundhogs in Ontario and the eastern United States
Additional Resources:
— Shubenacadie Sam on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShubenacadieSam
— Shubenacadie Wildlife Park website: http://wildlifepark.novascotia.ca
— Shubenacadie Wildlife Park on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShubenacadieWildlifePark/