Winter and Hope became the most famous residents of the Clearwater aquarium, which also operates sea turtle and manatee rescue programs.Īn $80 million expansion of the facility was recently completed, including a 1.5 million-gallon new dolphin complex, to handle the crowds that have descended on the aquarium since "Dolphin Tale" was released a decade ago. "Many are inspired by her resiliency and this amazing response reminds us of how deeply she has affected millions, including so many on their own health journey," the aquarium statement said.Ī sequel, "Dolphin Tale 2," was released three years later starring Winter and Hope, another rescued dolphin cared for by the Clearwater aquarium.īottlenose dolphins can live up to 60 years and are considered one of the most intelligent of all animal species.
Winter's story of rehabilitation has become an inspiration for disabled people around the world and the aquarium has received thousands of messages of support since Winter's illness became known. "This place wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Winter," Powell said. It put the non-profit aquarium, first opened in 1972 on the site of a former water treatment plant, on the map internationally.
The film, starring Harry Connick Jr., Ashley Judd, Kris Kristofferson, Morgan Freeman and Nathan Gamble, was largely shot at the Clearwater aquarium and surrounding Tampa Bay locations. "Dolphin Tale," which was released in 2011, chronicled Winter's recovery and the unprecedented, lengthy effort to fit her with a prosthetic tail. Winter was two months old when her tail became entangled in a crab trap near Cape Canaveral, which forced its amputation. But at the time, he said Winter was not responding to treatment as in the past, adding there was no evidence Winter had the coronavirus. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium will hold a celebration of life Saturday for Winter the dolphin, the beloved star of the Dolphin Tale movies who died Thursday. Winter previously experienced intestinal issues - not uncommon among dolphins - but such problems have never affected her like this, Powell had said Thursday. Thank you, Winter.James "Buddy" Powell, president of the aquarium, told reporters Thursday that the facility's staff and outside experts were doing everything possible seeking to restore the dolphin to health. The bottom line: We're over here crying over a dolphin that taught us to be better people. Some in captivity live several more decades. Winter was 16, not especially old for a dolphin.Winter had been taking medicine orally and intravenously, but had been docile as staff tried to treat the mystery illness.Reopening and memorial plans will likely be announced this morning. What's next: The aquarium is closed to the public today. Aquarium attendance jumped from 200,000 guests per year to more than half a million every year since "Dolphin Tale" premiered, allowing an $80 million expansion that tripled the space it has to take care of animals, the Tampa Bay Times reports. Why it matters: Winter had long been the aquarium’s main attraction. "Love you Winter," one little girl wrote on a card, per the Tampa Bay Times. Get-well wishes had come in from far-flung places.The medical team tried several life-saving efforts, but she died being held by her caregivers.įlashback: The inspiration for the 2011 film "Dolphin Tale" starring Ashley Judd and Morgan Freeman, Winter inspired amputees and sick children around the globe, some of them making pilgrimages to see the perpetually positive animal. During preparation for a procedure, the CMA Animal Care team observed that Winter’s behavior and vital signs were declining, the aquarium reported.
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium announced late yesterday that Winter the dolphin died after a mysterious illness.ĭriving the news: The world-famous dolphin - who learned to swim using a prosthetic tail after she was rescued from a tangled crab-trap line - had been ill since last week, and was not responding to treatments.
0 kommentar(er)
