Beloved ‘Dolphin Story’ star, Winter, dies at Florida aquarium

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A prosthetic-tailed dolphin named Winter that starred within the “Dolphin Story” motion pictures died Thursday night at a Florida aquarium regardless of life-saving efforts to deal with a gastrointestinal abnormality, aquarium officers mentioned.

The 16-year-old feminine bottlenose dolphin died whereas being held by animal care consultants who have been getting ready Winter for a process on the Clearwater Marine Aquarium the place the well-known marine mammal has lengthy resided.

“Whereas we’re heartbroken by Winter’s loss of life, we’re comforted understanding that our group did all the pieces attainable to present her one of the best likelihood at survival,” mentioned veterinarian Dr. Shelly Marquardt, in an announcement launched by the aquarium.

Winter the dolphin plays in the water at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Sunday, June 17, 2018, in Clearwater, Fla. A prosthetic-tailed dolphin named Winter that starred in the

Winter the dolphin performs within the water on the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Sunday, June 17, 2018, in Clearwater, Fla. A prosthetic-tailed dolphin named Winter that starred within the “Dolphin Story” motion pictures died Thursday night Nov. 11, 2021 at a Florida aquarium regardless of life-saving efforts to deal with a gastrointestinal abnormality, aquarium officers mentioned.(Jim Damaske/Tampa Bay Occasions by way of AP, File)
((Jim Damaske/Tampa Bay Occasions by way of AP, File)

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Marquardt mentioned the aquarium labored with specialists and marine mammal consultants from across the nation however the dolphin, which was in essential situation and declining, died whereas being held by caregivers.

The assertion mentioned the aquarium would stay closed on Friday to offer employees time to grieve. It had earlier mentioned a Friday closure would enable employees to deal with the dolphin’s medical care with plans to reopen Saturday.

James “Buddy” Powell, president of the aquarium, instructed reporters Thursday that the ability’s employees and out of doors consultants have been doing all the pieces attainable searching for to revive the dolphin to well being.

Winter beforehand skilled intestinal points — not unusual amongst dolphins — however such issues have by no means affected her like this, Powell had mentioned Thursday. However on the time, he mentioned Winter was not responding to remedy as up to now, including there was no proof Winter had the coronavirus.

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Winter was two months previous when her tail turned entangled in a crab entice close to Cape Canaveral, which compelled its amputation. “Dolphin Story,” which was launched in 2011, chronicled Winter’s restoration and the unprecedented, prolonged effort to suit her with a prosthetic tail.

The movie, starring Harry Connick Jr., Ashley Judd, Kris Kristofferson, Morgan Freeman and Nathan Gamble, was largely shot on the Clearwater aquarium and surrounding Tampa Bay areas. It put the non-profit aquarium, first opened in 1972 on the positioning of a former water remedy plant, on the map internationally.

“This place wouldn’t be right here if it wasn’t for Winter,” Powell mentioned.

Winter’s story of rehabilitation has develop into an inspiration for disabled individuals all over the world and the aquarium has acquired 1000’s of messages of help since Winter’s sickness turned identified.

“Many are impressed by her resiliency and this wonderful response reminds us of how deeply she has affected tens of millions, together with so many on their very own well being journey,” the aquarium assertion mentioned.

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A sequel, “Dolphin Story 2,” was launched three years later starring Winter and Hope, one other rescued dolphin cared for by the Clearwater aquarium.

Bottlenose dolphins can stay as much as 60 years and are thought-about some of the clever of all animal species.

Winter and Hope turned essentially the most well-known residents of the Clearwater aquarium, which additionally operates sea turtle and manatee rescue applications.

An $80 million growth of the ability was lately accomplished, together with a 1.5 million-gallon (5.6 million-liter) new dolphin advanced, to deal with the crowds which have descended on the aquarium since “Dolphin Story” was launched a decade in the past.

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