(Trends Wide) — Winter, the injured dolphin who learned to swim with a prosthesis after losing his tail and whose story served as the inspiration for two moving films, died Thursday, according to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) where he resided.
“Animal care experts from around the country worked to treat his gastrointestinal abnormality. The CMA family is devastated,” says a statement from the aquarium.
“Although we are heartbroken by Winter’s death, we are comforted to know that our team did everything possible to give him the best chance of survival. We work with specialists and marine mammal experts from across the country to provide him with the best care available.” Veterinarian Shelly Marquardt said in a statement. “I am honored to work alongside such talented and dedicated professionals who gave their all for Winter.”
The bottlenose dolphin was brought to the aquarium for care after it became entangled in a crab trap and lost its tail. He was able to learn to swim with a replacement prosthesis.
The 2011 film “Dolphin Tale,” starring Harry Connick Jr. and Ashley Judd, is based on the Winter story, as is the 2014 sequel, “Dolphin Tale 2.” In both films she appeared herself.
Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson, producers of the film “Dolphin Tale,” released a joint statement on Winter’s death.
“Winter was an extraordinary creature. He inspired millions of people around the world with his courage, his strength and his joy. He may no longer be with us in body, but his indomitable spirit will continue in the lives of all those whom he meets. touched, “they wrote.
Connick Jr. paid tribute to Winter on Instagram and shared his condolences with the Clearwater Marine Aquarium staff.
“The CMA team expresses its deepest gratitude to the thousands of people around the world who sent messages of love for Winter,” added the statement from the aquarium. “She really inspired hope and was loved by millions of people around the world.”
