Previous coverage: Winter the Dolphin dies after battle with intestinal issues

CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) — A star of the silver screen, an inspiration, and the bottlenose dolphin that brought fame to Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Winter now has a dedicated exhibit.

“Tales of Winter the Dolphin” opened last week at CMA as a tribute to Winter’s legacy, four years after her death in 2021.

Winter was rescued in 2005 after she was ensnared in a crab trap line in Mosquito Lagoon along Florida’s Atlantic coast. Following the loss of her tail due to these injuries, Winter was moved to CMA for ongoing care.

Against all odds, Winter adapted to swimming and ultimately received a prosthetic tail, inspiring the movies “Dolphin Tale” and “Dolphin Tale 2,” which the aquarium credits with contributing to a $2 billion economic boost in Pinellas County from 2012 to 2015.

“Winter’s journey captivated hearts across the globe and helped define who we are as an organization,” Joe Handy, CEO of Clearwater Marine Aquarium, said. “She wasn’t just a dolphin — she was a symbol of hope. This exhibit is our way of honoring her spirit and the countless lives she changed, and we’re excited to share that legacy with new generations of visitors.”

The exhibit tells the story of Winter’s rescue and the invention of the prosthetic tail that was her and the aquarium’s claim to fame. Visitors can also see a life-size replica of the trap that injured Winter, prosthetic tail models, props included in the film and other mementos from her life and time at CMA.