Miami, Nov 20 (EFE) .- The disabled dolphin Winter, whose survival story inspired the films “Dolphin Tale” and “Dolphin Tale 2”, has a “private memorial” this Saturday at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) , in Florida (USA), where he recently died, as part of a wide tribute open to the public until next Wednesday.
“We hope to welcome the fans and followers of Winter and celebrate the life of an incredible dolphin, one that will live forever in our hearts,” Kelsy Long, communication director of the aquarium, located in the vicinity of the Tampa Bay, on the west coast of Florida.
“We come together as a community to celebrate Winter’s life and the impact he had on each and every one of us. You are invited to bring back your memories … and enjoy the beautiful home that helped build the Clearwater Marine Aquarium for her, “he added.
THE INSPIRING STORY OF A CINEMA DOLPHIN
The 16-year-old dolphin, who rose to fame after losing his tail fins and starring in the “Dolphin Tale” movie series, died last Thursday after struggling with gastrointestinal abnormalities, the aquarium said.
An official necropsy showed that Winter died of intestinal torsion, which is when the intestines “twist in on themselves” and cut off the blood supply, Dr. Shelly Marquardt, a CMA veterinarian, told a news conference.
Marquardt explained that the dolphin had “pain controlled” as a palliative method to ensure that it felt more “comfortable.”
“We think (Winter) was as comfortable as she could have been and that was a very, very high priority given the situation we were in,” the doctor said. “As veterinarians, we take an oath not to cause harm,” he said.
The film about this inspiring animal was released in 2011 under the direction of Charles Martin Smith and tells the true story of Winter, a female bottlenose dolphin who was rescued in December 2005 off the coast of Florida.
The CMA, which is dedicated to rehabilitating sea turtles and dolphins suffering from ailments, is collecting donations from “the fans who loved the dolphin Winter” and have raised more than $ 33,000 so far.
A portion of all funds, according to the website, “will go to the care of our rescued animals and residents, as well as our mission to rescue, rehabilitate and release marine life,” Long said.
In addition, a special presentation program will focus on Winter’s life and legacy, with original images of the dolphin rescue, his life, and “the people he touched through his inspiring story.”
Long insisted that “everyone is welcome to join in a celebration of life at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium” beginning this Saturday, November 20, “with dates extended through Wednesday, November 24”.
Tonight will be held a “private memorial for all community partners and elected officials of the CMA,” said the marine park about this event that will be broadcast live on WintertheDolphin.com.
“The World’s Most Famous Dolphin,” as the Florida media call her, had arrived at the Florida West Coast Aquarium after being rescued from a crab trap in which she lost her tail and the ability to swim.
In the CMA they placed Winter, a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), an orthopedic tail made especially for her and the trainers taught her to swim.
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