James “Buddy” Powell, president of the aquarium, told reporters Thursday that the facility's staff and outside experts were doing everything possible seeking to restore the dolphin to health. It had earlier said a Friday closure would allow workers to focus on the dolphin's medical care with plans to reopen Saturday. The statement said the aquarium would remain closed on Friday to provide staff time to grieve. Marquardt said the aquarium worked with specialists and marine mammal experts from around the country but the dolphin, which was in critical condition and declining, died while being held by caregivers. Shelly Marquardt, in a statement released by the aquarium. “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. The 16-year-old female bottlenose dolphin died while being held by animal care experts who were preparing Winter for a procedure at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium where the famous marine mammal has long resided. (AP) - A prosthetic-tailed dolphin named Winter that starred in the “Dolphin Tale” movies died Thursday evening at a Florida aquarium despite life-saving efforts to treat a gastrointestinal abnormality, aquarium officials said. Contact him at And please support local journalism by subscribing to the Herald-Tribune.CLEARWATER, Fla. Our daughter’s meeting 10 years ago left a lasting impression.'įollow Jay Handelman on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 'Thank you for making space for so many of our families to meet Winter. 'Our household is devastated,' wrote Missouri resident Jen Lee Reeves. The aquarium recently completed an $80 million expansion that included a 1.5 million-gallon dolphin complex to handle the crowds.Īfter news of Winter's death spread, posts flooded social media, including more than 26,000 comments and 194,000 shares on a post from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium's Facebook page. The film was shot primarily around Tampa Bay and at the Clearwater aquarium, which became an international tourist attraction for film fans eager to see Winter.Ī sequel “Dolphin Tale 2,” released in 2014, featured Winter and Hope, a second rescued dolphin that was treated and cared for at the aquarium, which also includes sea turtle and manatee rescue programs. I’m honored to work alongside such dedicated and talented professionals who gave their all for Winter.” “Our staff worked around the clock during this challenging time. “We worked with specialists and marine mammal experts from around the country to provide her with the best care available,” said veterinarian Dr. “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,” the aquarium said in a statement, adding that the medical team tried several life-saving efforts but she died being held by caregivers. The film starring Harry Connick Jr., Ashley Judd, Kris Kristofferson and Morgan Freeman detailed the extensive efforts experts took to fit her with a prosthetic tail.

In a statement, the officials said the venue will be closed Friday to give staff members time to grieve. Prior to her death, the aquarium said it will temporarily close to treat the dolphin. Previously: Sarasota polio survivor shares unique connection with dolphin at Clearwater Aquarium as animal care experts from around the country worked to treat her gastrointestinal abnormality. Thursday in a Tweet that said, “With heavy hearts, CMA announced that Winter the Dolphin died at approximately 8 p.m.

The aquarium announced the news of Winter's death shortly before 10 p.m. That was something she always had in common with Winter, the overcoming of the medical challenge,' Katie Savage, Grace's mother told the television station. 'She has so many things going against her but she continues to fight and conquer and overcome. Katie Savage, Grace's mom, said each day they don't know what Grace's heath holds.

Clearwater marine aquarium winter