‘Dolphin Tale’ star Winter dies at Florida aquarium

A prosthetic-tailed dolphin named Winter that starred in the “Dolphin Tale” movies died at a Florida aquarium despite life-saving efforts to treat a gastrointestinal abnormality, aquarium officials said. Winter was two months old when her tail became entangled in a crab trap near Cape Canaveral, which forced its amputation. “Dolphin Tale,” which was released in […]

A prosthetic-tailed dolphin named Winter that starred in the “Dolphin Tale” movies died at a Florida aquarium despite life-saving efforts to treat a gastrointestinal abnormality, aquarium officials said.

Winter was two months old when her tail became entangled in a crab trap near Cape Canaveral, which forced its amputation. “Dolphin Tale,” which was released in 2011, chronicled Winter’s recovery and the unprecedented, lengthy effort to fit her with a prosthetic tail.

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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. It put the non-profit aquarium, first opened in 1972 on the site of a former water treatment plant, on the map internationally.

Winter’s story of 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.

A sequel, “Dolphin Tale 2″ was released three years later starring Winter and Hope, another rescued dolphin cared for by the Clearwater aquarium.

Winter and Hope became the most famous residents of the Clearwater aquarium, which also operates sea turtle and manatee rescue programs.