Famous Dolphins Celebrate Rescue Anniversaries

Clearwater Marine Aquarium is celebrating milestones for two of its most famous residents.

Winter, the dolphin whose story of overcoming incredible odds went global thanks to the movie “Dolphin Tale,” is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of her rescue Thursday, Dec. 10. Her friend and inspiration for the sequel “Dolphin Tale 2” marks five years of post-rescue life on Friday.

The aquarium is pulling out all the stops to mark the milestones. A song has even been created to recognize the occasion. Latin singer Sammi Benz plans to make a 1 p.m. appearance at the aquarium’s Brighthouse Theater Friday to release her new single and video, titled “Hope.”

The song was inspired by the plucky dolphin’s story, the aquarium notes.

Winter, the aquarium’s original celebrity dolphin, was found on Dec. 10, 2005, in Mosquito Lagoon. She was entangled in a crab trap line that cut off circulation to her tail. The injury was so severe, her tail could not be saved. While her outlook was bleak, a team formed at the aquarium to help see the dolphin through the crisis.

Efforts paid off, but Winter, was unable to move in the water like other dolphins. Hoping to give her as normal a life as possible, the team fit her with a prosthetic tail that has since enabled her to thrive. Winter’s story of overcoming tremendous odds was shared in the 2011 movie release “Dolphin Tale.”

Hope came into the picture following her Dec. 11, 2010, rescue. She was discovered in the Indian Lagoon River attempting to nurse from her deceased mother. The spot happened to be very near to where rescue crews found Winter five years prior.

When Hope arrived at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, she was estimated to be only 2 to 3 months old. Weighing in at 58 pounds, the dehydrated baby was slowly nursed back to health. She and Winter formed a close bond during that period of time. Hope’s story and her connection with Winter are chronicled in “Dolphin Tale 2.”

To learn more about Hope and Winter, visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium online. Tickets for Friday’s festivities are available online. The regular admission price for adults is $21.95. Senior entry is $19.95 while children ages 3 to 12 cost $16.95.