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
- 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
More About Winter
Winter's Lasting Lesson
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
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
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…
