Groundhog to be kept safe from NYC mayor

NEW YORK, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- New York Mayor Bill de Blasio welcomed the Staten Island Zoo's rule change that will prevent him from being responsible for another groundhog death.

De Blasio, who caused the death of groundhog Charlotte when he dropped her on Groundhog Day last year, said he is not interested in risking a second occurrence during the ceremony on Feb. 2 of this year.

"I must say, last time, there was not an overwhelming amount of preparation and orientation before I was handed him, may he rest in peace," the mayor said at a news conference. "I think reform is needed, I welcome a new approach."

A video posted by Mara Gay (@maracgay) on Feb 2, 2014 at 4:53am PST

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The New York Post said zoo sources confirmed the groundhog, Staten Island Chuck, will be kept safe in a glass or plexiglass box during February's ceremony.

The death of the groundhog after being dropped by de Blasio was concealed by the zoo for several months until officials admitted the animal had succumbed to the injuries. The zoo also admitted Staten Island Chuck had been secretly replaced by a female named Charlotte for last year's ceremony in the hopes she would prove easier for the mayor to handle.

A necropsy concluded Charlotte died as a result of "sudden internal injuries."