Carried Aboard Coast Guard Vessel With Ceremonial Flyover, Winter's Ashes Released At Sea

CLEARWATER, FL — Sixteen years after being rescued as a 2-month-old critically injured, orphaned calf, Winter the dolphin returned to the sea Thursday.

The ashes of the bottlenose dolphin were encased in a Himalayan sea salt urn. A cadre of devoted caretakers from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium carried the urn aboard a 45-foot U.S. Coast Guard response boat.

As the boat ventured into the Gulf of Mexico, a Coast Guard C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft performed a solemn flyover, saluting the dolphin who was an inspiration to so many and signaling the start of the official "ceremony at sea."

Members of Winter's animal care team read a poem in her memory before spreading her ashes into the clear Gulf waters, accompanied by rose petals and orchids. Finally, they honored the dolphin by participating in her favorite enrichment activity one last time — blowing bubbles.

"Returning Winter to her natural home is a poetic ending to her incredible 16-year journey, and we couldn't think of a better way to lay her spirit to rest," said Dr. James "Buddy" Powell, executive director of the aquarium.

The last time Winter was in the ocean was Dec. 10, 2005, when New Smyrna Beach resident Jim Savage was fishing in Mosquito Lagoon near Cape Canaveral and noticed movement in the water.

As he crept closer, he saw it was a baby dolphin struggling for her life. She had been snared by a crab trap line, which had cut off the circulation in her tail flukes.

Transported to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium where the animal care team fought to save her life, nearly losing the battle several times. Winter ultimately lost her tail due to the injury but survived the ordeal.

Once she was strong enough, Dr. Mike Walsh, a leading marine mammal veterinarian who nursed Winter through the crisis, reached out to Carroll and Dan Strzempka at Hanger Clinic, a prosthetics company in Sarasota, to see if they could help the dolphin regain her ability to swim.

The Strzempkas accepted the challenge, designing the world's first prosthetic dolphin tail, which Winter took to as if it were her natural tail.

Inspired by her story of survival, Warner Brothers immortalized Winter in the movie, "Dolphin Tale," released nationwide in theaters around the world on Sept. 23, 2011. Winter played herself in the movie, which also starred Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Harry Connick, Jr. and Kris Kristofferson.

During the next decade, "Dolphin Tale" and Winter herself were credited with inspiring millions of children and adults with disabilities.

A trip to Clearwater to visit Winter became the top wish for children through the nonprofit national Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Despite the assistance of marine veterinarians around the country, Winter died Nov. 11 after contracting a gastrointestinal infection.

In the two months since her death, an ever-growing memorial to Winter has been added to the lobby of the aquarium she called home, featuring stuffed dolphin toys, flowers, drawings and notes from hundreds of people describing how Winter transformed their lives.

Over the years, the aquarium staff captured thousands of hours of video featuring Winter's humorous antics, play and displays of affection for her dolphin buddies, and meetings with adoring fans.

This footage has been turned into a virtual reality immersive experience that will allow guests to virtually meet and even swim with Winter in the aquarium's new virtual reality theater.

"When a loved one passes, there is a very real fear that we will forget the sound of their voice or even the way they walked. For those of us who loved Winter, I'm proud to announce that Winter will live on in the physical world as well as the digital world so her signature tweet, demeanor and personality can never be forgotten," said Powell.

See related stories:

• Amidst Tragic Loss Of Winter, Aquarium Finds Reason To Celebrate
• Condolences Pour In For Winter The Dolphin; Memorial Set Nov. 20
• Fisherman Recalls The Day He Found Winter Caught In A Crab Trap
• Winter The Dolphin's Death Mourned By Fans, Aquarium Staff
• Winter The Dolphin In Critical Condition; Top Experts Consulted
• Fans Around The World Send Get-Well Wishes To Winter The Dolphin
• Winter The Dolphin Reunited With Rescuer 14 Years Later