CMA Pays Tribute to Beloved Dolphin on First Day of Winter

Winter the Dolphin’s Legacy Lives on at Clearwater Marine Aquarium

CLEARWATER, FL (Dec 11, 2023) – Winter’s Garden, which pays tribute to Winter the Dolphin’s legacy, will be unveiled outside Clearwater Marine Aquarium on Dec 21.

Guests will have the opportunity to visit the site and remember her, her spirit and how she inspired millions of people around the world. Winter’s Garden is located outside the front entrance so that the public will have access. It will feature a 10-foot-tall bronze statue of a dolphin, called “Winter’s Dream,” which was created by artist Donjo. The date was chosen to honor Winter because was rescued in December, and also because Dec. 21 is the first day of Winter.

“Winter made an enormous impact on CMA and on our guests who were truly inspired by her story,” said Joe Handy, CEO. Many CMA guests still remember Winter, either from previous visits or from the Dolphin Tale movies.  “Winter was one of the first ambassador animals at CMA and has a special place in all of our hearts. She set the standard for exceptional animal care at CMA and we continue to remember her legacy through this garden, as well as the animals here that we care for,” he said.

“Through her story of courage and bravery, Winter inspired millions of people to be strong and carry on,” said Karen Malo, manager of the Aquarium’s Inspire Program, which was specifically created because of Winter. “Thousands of children and adults, as well as veterans, have read about Winter and traveled to CMA because of her. Some were lucky enough to meet her in person,” said Malo.

In addition to Winter’s Garden, CMA will also feature:

The Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2 movies will be featured every two hours in the Dolphin Tale Theater.
Guests can leave letters and cards about how Winter inspired them.
Guests can have their photos taken at the entrance with a special Winter the Dolphin background, and order photos.
A special caricature artist will be available from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to draw guests and how Winter inspired them.

About Winter

Winter the Dolphin passed away at 16 years old on Nov. 11, 2021, due to a gastrointestinal abnormality. On Dec. 10, 2005, she was found stranded at Mosquito Lagoon at just 2 months old, with a crab trap rope bound tightly around her tail fluke. Eventually her fluke fell off during her rehabilitation due to lack of blood flow. Orphaned at such a young age without a fluke, Winter was deemed unable to survive in the wild and placed at Clearwater Marine Aquarium for managed care. Winter taught herself a new way to swim, causing her to develop degenerative changes in her spine, such as scoliosis.

The team at Hanger Clinic heard of Winter’s condition and developed a prosthetic and prosthetic line called WintersGel, specific to her needs. Her story became the movie Dolphin Tale (2011) and Dolphin Tale 2 (2014), reaching and inspiring millions all over the word. Dolphin Tale not only brought awareness to Clearwater Marine Aquarium, the exposure gained from both movies resulted in a $2 billion economic impact to Pinellas County. According to Tourism Economics and a forecast study performed by the University of South Florida St. Petersburg College of Business, 2.2 million room nights were booked and over 44,000 jobs were supported over a four-year period from 2012 to 2015.

Winter’s impact on veterans, adults and children experiencing limb loss, as well as anyone fighting through life challenges, continues through CMA’s Inspire Program.

###

Media Contact:   Marsha Strickhouser | mstrickhouser@CMAquarium.org | (727) 242-0770

About Clearwater Marine Aquarium: Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working marine rescue center dedicated to inspiring the human spirit through leadership in education, research, rescue, rehabilitation and release. With a mission to preserve the environment and its marine life, CMA is home to rescued dolphins, sea turtles, river otters, stingrays, a nurse shark and more. Through Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, CMA conducts important global research focused on protecting manatees, North Atlantic right whales and sea turtles. Major motion picture Dolphin Tale (2011) and its sequel Dolphin Tale 2 (2014) features the true stories of rescued resident dolphins Winter and Hope, inspiring millions around the world. The mission and potential to change people’s lives differentiates Clearwater Marine Aquarium from any other aquarium in the world.

We believe in preserving our environment while inspiring the human spirit through leadership in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine life; environmental education; research; and conservation.

A Florida non-profit 501(c)(3) organization