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Experience • Rescued Animals • Dolphins

Winter the Dolphin

Updated November 14, 2021 Posted April 8, 2020

Winter, the star of Dolphin Tale, lost her tail after becoming entangled in a crab trap line. The team at Clearwater Marine Aquarium worked with the Hanger Clinic to develop a prosthetic tail, allowing Winter to thrive and inspire millions around the world!

Remembering Winter

2005-2021

With heavy hearts, CMA announced on November 11, 2021, that Winter the Dolphin passed away as animal care experts from around the country worked to treat her. Learn more.

You can share your memories online at RememberingWinter.com.

Learn About Winter

Winter

Atlantic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)
Winter
Age
16
Sex
Female
Rescue Date
12/10/2005
Origin
Mosquito Lagoon, FL
Diet
Capelin, silversides, mullet

Winter was found when she was two months old tangled in crab trap line, which cut circulation to her tail flukes. This eventually led to a deterioration and loss of her tail. While most dolphins in this situation wouldn’t survive, Winter adapted to her new physical form and made a complete recovery!

Winter Videos

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More About Winter

Winter's Lasting Lesson

Winter 772x386

Winter’s case was one of the most difficult for CMA. Her story is a bittersweet realization of the dangers faced by animals as a result of human activities in the wild, such as fishery interactions. Through these types of interactions, dolphins and other marine life often become susceptible to entanglement and ingestion of fishing line or other gear that can cause them to become injured, ill or potentially lead to their death. In order to mitigate these impacts and conserve these species, it is critical for us to do our part and keep our oceans clean and recycle and promote laws and regulations that improve upon fishing practices. Together, we can make a difference!

Winter’s Tail Technology

prosthetic dolphin tail

Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics, Inc., together with Dr. Mike Walsh and CMA’s world-class Animal Care Team, created a unique plan to attach a prosthetic tail to Winter.

Winter is missing her entire tail fluke and joint. Tail flukes are the powerhouse of the dolphin and are attached to the peduncle, the muscular part of the dolphin. To swim naturally, a dolphin moves the peduncle up and down and the tail flukes propel the dolphin forward.

Winter Inspires

Layla Welch with her mother and inspire team volunteers in Dr. Clay's office

Winter and the story of her prosthetic tail has inspired millions to persevere through life’s toughest obstacles. Learn more about the lives she’s touched and their own inspirational stories.

Did You Know…

Winter was found in December, and is named after the chilly season she was found in!
When Dolphin Tale was filmed in 2010, Winter was only five years old, making her the youngest star on set!
While nobody knows her true date of birth, the team at CMA estimates her birthday to be October 10, 2005.

For Dolphin Tale Fans

bottlenose dolphin experience

VIP Bottlenose Dolphin Experience

Learn MoreBook Now
Nicholas the dolphin

Dolphin Complex Cam

Watch Now
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
249 Windward Passage
Clearwater, FL 33767
727-441-1790

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A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR CLEARWATER MARINE AQUARIUM, A FL-BASED NONPROFIT CORPORATION (REGISTRATION NO. CH352), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE OR BY VISITING www.800helpfla.com. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Federal Tax ID#: 59-2086737.

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