The Loss of Winter: Beloved ‘Dolphin Tale’ Star
The beloved movie ‘Dolphin Tales’, telling the story of Winter and her journey with a prosthetic.
November 12, 2021
Winter, the star of ‘Dolphin Tale’ has passed away on Thursday, November 11th. Despite efforts to treat the dolphin with her gastrointestinal abnormality, tragedy had struck. 16-year-old Winter was held by animal care experts in Clearwater Marine Aquarium during her last moments, and she was lost around the people who had cared for her most.
“While we are heartbroken by Winter’s death, we are comforted knowing that our team did everything possible to give her the best chance at survival,” said veterinarian Dr. Shelly Marquardt said, according to a statement released by the aquarium.
The story of Winter has become an inspiration for many around the world, with Clearwater Marine Aquarium being sent thousands of messages of support nearly daily. First found in the waters of the Florida coast in 2005, the circulation of Winter’s tail was being cut off from a crab trap. Doctors and marine biologists worked day and night to create a prosthetic that would replace the dolphin’s narcosis ridden tail, giving her the hope that she would be able to swim again. Relating to their own health journey, with Winter’s prosthetic, her story had aided many in their own recovery process.
“They saw this young dolphin who refused to give up and said, ‘You know what, if this dolphin can do this, I can do this,’” said David Yates, the CEO of the aquarium at the time.
Staff and visitors alike had practically grown up with the dolphin, feeling intense bonds with her and treating her like family.
“They saw this young dolphin who refused to give up and said, ‘You know what, if this dolphin can do this, I can do this,’” said David Yates, the CEO of the aquarium at the time.
Winter’s story became the basis of the heavily inspired film Dolphin Tales, a film directed by Charles Martin Smith, which tells of a young dolphin who gets caught in a crab trap and severely damages her tail. After being transported to Clearwater Marine Hospital, results show that she is in need of a miracle, if she ever wanted to swim again, just like the real Winter. A miracle comes forth in a marine biologist who’s daughter soon names her Winter. Winter has lived in the heart of many childhoods for years, educating us with how some marine animals too need prosthetics, relating our connection between human and animal.
“I’m honored to work alongside such dedicated and talented professionals who gave their all for Winter,” added Dr. Shelly Marquardt. Though grief looms over the aquarium, the story of Winter will be encouraged and kept alive
The aquarium will remain closed on Friday, November 12th, in order to allow staff to grieve Winter and process her death.