Punxatawny Phil? Not around here – meet Buffalo Bert!

By: Julia Tufan, Contributor

Because of Groundhog Day, we all know Punxsutawney Phil and his weather prognosticating abilities. He is arguably the most famous groundhog in the world. But did you know that Buffalo, N.Y., has our very own prognosticating rodent? Buffalo Bert is a groundhog who lives at Hawk Creek Wildlife Center in West Falls, N.Y. 

Groundhog Day made its way to Buffalo in 2013, spearheaded by the Buffalo Groundhog Society, which was formed because they feel Buffalonians “fear no weather” and “embrace winter” – which could not be more true. The Buffalo Groundhog Society makes sure to donate their proceeds to an array of different animal-based organizations, including the Buffalo Zoo, Buffalo C.A.R.E.S. Animal Shelter and, of course, Hawk Creek Wildlife Center. 

The current Buffalo Bert was orphaned early in life in 2018 and was hand-reared by the hardworking staff and volunteers of the center, where they deemed him non-releasable. He spends his life now as an ambassador for his species and as Buffalo’s official “weather hog.”

The most important fact about Buffalo Bert is that he has an astounding 100% accurate prediction, the highest of any weather prognosticator. To compare, Punxsutawney Phil has a 35% accuracy rate. In Phil’s defense, he has been prognosticating since 1886, with 131 documented predictions. Going strictly off numbers, Phil has been right about 45 times, which is more than Bert’s 13 correct predictions. However, GroundHog-Day.Com has dubbed Buffalo Bert as the most accurate weather prognosticator. 

Don’t be fooled – a quick Google search as to the identity of the most accurate groundhog will lead you astray. Google will tell you that Staten Island Chuck is the most accurate groundhog, with an accuracy of 85%. This accuracy was measured by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which seemingly left out our beloved Bert. Staten Island Chuck’s accuracy is also impressive, especially considering all the controversy surrounding him (biting Mayor Bloomberg in 2009 and being dropped by Mayor de Blasio in 2014, the latter leading to that same groundhog’s demise). 

Buffalo Bert is underground (pun intended) and deserves more attention from the Buffalo Community, and the Canisius student body specifically!