Winter, the disabled dolphin who inspired the film ‘Dolphin Tale’, dies

The disabled dolphin Winter, whose story of survival and overcoming inspired the films Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2, died at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA), Florida, according to the institution.

“The CMA family is devastated,” the aquarium said in the statement announcing Winter’s death.

Winter died of intestinal problems Thursday night surrounded by veterinarians and other marine mammal care specialists from different parts of the US who were summoned by the aquarium to save her life.

“The most famous dolphin in the world”, as the Florida media call her, was 16 years old and had arrived at the aquarium on the west coast of Florida after being rescued from a crab trap in which she lost her tail and the ability to swim in 2005.

In the aquarium they placed Winter, a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), an orthopedic tail made especially for her and the trainers taught her to swim.

“You really inspired hope and you were loved by millions of people around the world. Winter, we love you,” says the statement from the aquarium, which did not open its doors on Friday in mourning, which has not prevented many people from attending to the place to leave flowers and messages of condolence.

The aquarium has also received countless messages on social media from people mourning Winter’s death.

The dolphin was a source of inspiration for thousands of children with disabilities.

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But not only did he receive visits from these minors, mutilated US veterans were also regular visitors to Winter at his Clearwater “home”, according to the media in the area.

Since November 1, the dolphin was depressed and without appetite due to what was later known to be a gastrointestinal disease.

At the time of her death, she was being prepared for surgery. Her vital signs began to fade and despite attempts to revive her she died, aquarium spokesmen reported.

The media announced that CMA is already preparing a funeral at the height of its most famous resident. (I)