From the archives: Five years ago, Tampa Bay lost WinterMartha Asencio-Rhine Thu, November 12, 2026 at 6:01 PM UTC
A Clearwater Marine Aquarium trainer treats Winter to fish during a feeding session. The Atlantic bottlenose dolphin had been rehabbing at the aquarium for two years and had made significant progress.
From the moment the baby bottlenose dolphin was rescued and brought to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, she was a subject of fascination, garnering fans near and far who wished to see her thrive despite having lost her tail to a crab trap.
Winter’s story, projected on the big screen with movies “Dolphin Tale” and “Dolphin Tale 2,” was an inspiration for millions and made her a bonafide movie star — a source of pride for Tampa Bay locals and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which was revitalized by Winter’s fame.
Five years ago this week, on Nov. 11, 2021, Winter died suddenly due to intestinal issues.
There are many photos of Winter and her big moments in the Tampa Bay Times’ archives. Here are some of the highlights.
A 3-month-old Winter was found entangled in a crab trap near Cape Canaveral. Her injuries were so severe that her tail fell off. Workers at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium provided around-the-clock care for the dolphin in hopes of attaching a prosthetic tail essential to her survival.
Marine mammal trainers at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium worked with Winter, who after months of rehab showed improvement by teaching herself a new swimming pattern to account for not having a tail.
A digital scan of Winter's tail stump. The dolphin was lifted out of her tank and had a digital scan made to help fit her for a new tail. It was thought Winter would be the first dolphin in the United States to be fitted with a prosthetic tail.
Winter wore a prosthetic tail prototype held on by suction.
Alex Miller, then 9, and Melissa Stockwell, then 27, a war veteran from Chicago who lost her left leg to a roadside bomb in Iraq, were guests at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium when several people with missing limbs learned about Winter's story.
A shelf at Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics displayed molds for legs, arms and a dolphin's tail stump and tail.
Winter seemed to smile while wearing a Santa hat.
Charlie Crist, then Florida's governor, was joined by children awaiting adoption during a visit with Winter. It was part of a partnership between the aquarium and the Heart Gallery to raise awareness for children in foster care to be adopted. Winter also needed to be adopted despite not being able to be taken home.
Winter joyfully surfaces to the commands of her trainer.
Abby Stone, then Winter's trainer, was subjected to splashes while working with Winter.
The family of Army Staff Sgt. Matthew Steven Sitton, who died after stepping on an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan, visited with Winter. Brodey Sitton, held by his mom, Sarah Sitton, looked at Winter through the glass of the tank. The family had plans to see Winter together.
Cieran Kelso, then an 8-year-old from the United Kingdom, got to swim with Winter the dolphin at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Cieran had meningitis, and his lower legs had to be amputated. He loved swimming, and when the amputations made it difficult to propel himself in the water, his father figured out a way to attach a scuba flipper to the boy's prosthetic legs. By then, Winter was a movie star and Cieran was a big fan of "Dolphin Tale," so a visit was arranged by several agencies.
"Dolphin Tale 2" stars Cozi Zuehlsdorff, left, and Nathan Gamble were photographed arriving at Ruth Eckerd Hall's blue carpet event for the Clearwater premiere of "Dolphin Tale 2," featuring Winter and the aquarium's most recent high-profile rescue, Hope.
Shriners Hospital for Children's national patient ambassadors Katie Ladlie, left, and Joe Dertinger, both amputees, examined Winter's prosthetic tail during a visit to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
Autumn Swank, then 18, center, held a Winter plush toy during a visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Swank was diagnosed with inoperable brain stem cancer in 2009. The aquarium used Autumn's visit to kick off its Winter and Autumn's Hope campaign. With every plush purchased, the initiative gave a free plush to a child who lost a parent serving in the U.S. military.
Media and guests gathered for an announcement of the expansion of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, including a new dolphin habitat, in front of the Kate Tidemann & Ellen Cotton Main Pool and Window of Wonder at the Ruth and J.O. Stone Dolphin Complex, where dolphins Winter, Hope and PJ lived.
Memorial flowers and artificial candles were arranged in front of the empty tank that once held Winter, who died of intestinal issues.
Monica Braithwaite, then 10, shed a tear while visiting a memorial to Winter at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium following the dolphin's death.
A young visitor and mourner held origami paper flowers to lay at Winter's memorial.
Winter had fans of all ages, but children felt her loss deeply. Yelena Nicely, then 2, of St. Petersburg, held her father’s hand and a bouquet of flowers for Winter.
Source: Nature
