Baby dolphin stuck in crab trap off Florida beach rescued, brought to SeaWorld
Dolphins: What you need to know (NCD)CLEARWATER BEACH, Fla. — Marine officials on Wednesday rescued a baby dolphin that was trapped in a crab trap near a west Florida beach. >> Read more trending newsThe dolphin was stuck in the trap off Clearwater Beach and was taken to SeaWorld in Orlando, Clearwater Marine Aquarium officials said in a Facebook post. Law enforcement officials notified the aquarium of a distressed animal at about 12 p.m. EDT, the Tampa Bay Times reported. A lifeguard cut the calf free, but the dolphin began swimming toward the shore and was struggling to swim in the open water, aquarium officials wrote on Facebook. “Unfortunately, that did not happen.”Long added that the Southeast Stranding Network and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration told officials to transport the dolphin to SeaWorld for rehabilitation at about 3:30 p.m. EDT, aquarium officials wrote on Facebook.
wftv.com‘Nick’s Picks’: Rescued dolphin at Florida aquarium makes Super Bowl winner prediction
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Nicholas the rescued dolphin at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium is putting his best fin forward while predicting the winner this Super Bowl Sunday. During his sixth annual Super Bowl pick, Nicholas chose the Cincinnati Bengals to defeat the LA Rams. Officials said Billie is a rescue, like Nicholas, and is helping to raise awareness for adopting pets from shelters and rescue facilities. The Big Game pick was made by Nicholas while he was presented with a choice during his normal enrichment activities. He was orphaned and unable to learn necessary survival skills as a calf, therefore he became a permanent resident at Clearwater Marine Aquarium, officials said.
wftv.comDolphin calf rescued from embedded fishing line in Florida
CLEARWATER, Fla. — A team of state wildlife officers and marine mammal vets were able to remove embedded fishing line from a 7-month-old bottlenose dolphin calf. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium said it was closely watching the mother and this calf since early December. READ: ‘Betty White Challenge’ raises $12.7M for animal shelters via Facebook, InstagramThey said they waited until Tuesday to help the calf because catch-and-release interventions are dangerous for both rescuers and the dolphin. Dolphin calf rescued from embedded fishing line in FloridaOfficials said every effort was made to remove the line from a boat; however, when those efforts failed and the calf’s condition got worse, they moved in to free the line. Anyone who sees an injured, entangled or dead dolphin is asked to call the Southeast Region Stranding Network hotline at 1-877-WHALE HELP (1-877-942-5343).
wftv.comAshes of Winter the movie star dolphin released into Gulf
(Clearwater Marine Aquarium via AP) (Uncredited)CLEARWATER, Fla. — (AP) — The ashes of Winter the dolphin were returned to the sea on Thursday, about two months after the beloved marine mammal of movie fame died at a Florida aquarium. Clearwater Marine Aquarium staff members released a Himalayan sea salt urn containing Winter's ashes into the Gulf of Mexico from the back of a U.S. Coast Guard response boat. “Being able to return Winter to her natural home was the best feeling in the world,” Kelly Martin, the aquarium’s vice president of animal care, said in a statement. “Our goal at Clearwater Marine Aquarium is always to rehabilitate rescued marine life so they can return to the wild. Clearwater Marine Aquarium will continue to honor Winter’s legacy with an onsite memorial, virtual reality experiences, and an endowment to safeguard indefinite support of the aquarium.
wftv.comWinter the Dolphin’s ashes released into the Gulf of Mexico
A ceremony at sea Thursday returned Winter the Dolphin, star of the Dolphin Tale movies, to the ocean. The team also blew bubbles, “honoring one of Winter’s favorite enrichment activities.”Winter the Dolphin's ashes released in the Gulf of Mexico Animal Care Specialist holds Winter's ashes before releasing her into the Gulf of Mexico. Our goal at Clearwater Marine Aquarium is always to rehabilitate rescued marine life so they can return to the wild. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 13 Winter the dolphin In this Aug. 31, photo, Winter the dolphin swims at Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater, Fla. Winter plays herself in "Dolphin Tale," a family-friendly 3-D movie starring Harry Connick Jr., Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd and Kris Kristofferson, opening Sept. 23.
wftv.comAquarium in Florida welcomes ‘Apollo’ as newest rescued resident dolphin
New dolphin: Apollo is the newest bottlenose dolphin to live at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Florida. (Clearwater Marine Aquarium)CLEARWATER, Fla. — A rescued male dolphin will be swimming at the same Florida aquarium that housed Winter, the beloved prosthetic-tailed mammal who starred in 2011′s “Dolphin Tale” movie. >> Read more trending newsApollo, a 6-foot-long, 200-pound bottlenose dolphin, was welcomed to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, officials said in a news release on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/faUiWxjA4Q — Clearwater Aquarium (@CMAquarium) December 15, 2021The Clearwater aquarium was selected by the National Marine Fisheries Service to be Apollo’s home. Due to his hearing loss, NMFS determined Apollo was not a candidate for release.”>> Winter the dolphin, star of ‘Dolphin Tale,’ dies at Florida aquariumClearwater aquarium officials said Apollo will live in the Ruth & J.O.
wftv.comVirtual reality experience planned to remember ‘Dolphin Tale’ star Winter the dolphin
The movie was filmed at Clearwater Marine Aquarium, with Winter starring as herself. >> Related: Winter the dolphin, star of ‘Dolphin Tale,’ dies at Florida aquariumWinter also appeared in 2014′s “Dolphin Tale 2,” which focused on Hope, another dolphin who has been at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium since she was rescued in 2010. Officials with Clearwater Marine Aquarium said Friday that staff members plan to release her ashes into the Gulf of Mexico next month. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 13 Winter the dolphin In this Aug. 31, photo, Winter the dolphin swims at Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater, Fla. Winter plays herself in "Dolphin Tale," a family-friendly 3-D movie starring Harry Connick Jr., Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd and Kris Kristofferson, opening Sept. 23.
wftv.comBeloved 'Dolphin Tale' star Winter died of twisted intestine
Famous Dolphin-Infection Winter the dolphin is convalescing in a pool housed in building at Clearwater Marine Aquarium Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. (Chris Urso/Tampa Bay Times via AP) (Chris Urso)CLEARWATER, Fla. — (AP) — Florida's most famous dolphin Winter, beloved by fans around the world and star of the movie “Dolphin Tale,” died of twisted intestines, according to necropsy results released by the aquarium Saturday. But the prosthetic tale and the dolphin's miraculous recovery offered hopes to many with illnesses and disabilities. Fans — including autistic children and soldiers with missing limbs — made pilgrimages to visit Winter, star of the 2011 film “Dolphin Tale," which chronicled its recovery. But attaching the tail without damaging Winter’s skin was problematic because its skin is so thin it can be cut with a fingernail.
wftv.com'Dolphin Tale' fans mourn death of film's star Winter at 16
Famous Dolphin FILE - Clearwater Marine Aquarium senior marine mammal trainer Abby Stone kisses Winter the dolphin during a show Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2011, in Clearwater, Fla. Winter starred in the "Dolphin Tale" movies has died at a Florida aquarium despite life-saving efforts by animal care experts. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium said the 16-year-old female bottlenose dolphin died Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, while being treated for a gastrointestinal abnormality. Those trips inspired people from autistic children to soldiers with missing limbs before Winter died Thursday of a gastrointestinal ailment, saddening fans around the world. Fifteen-year-old Angelina Bongiovanni of Washington Township, New Jersey, fell in love with Winter the first time she saw “Dolphin Tale,” her mother said. The aquarium's president, James Powell, said no other animals at the aquarium were ill including Hope, another rescued dolphin who appeared with Winter in the “Dolphin Tale 2” sequel.
wftv.comBeloved 'Dolphin Tale' star Winter dies at Florida aquarium
Famous Dolphin-Infection Winter the dolphin plays in the water at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Sunday, June 17, 2018, in Clearwater, Fla. The Florida aquarium will temporarily close to treat its resident prosthetic-tailed dolphin that starred in the “Dolphin Tale” movies. (Jim Damaske/Tampa Bay Times via AP, file) (Jim Damaske)CLEARWATER, Fla. — (AP) — A prosthetic-tailed dolphin named Winter that starred in the “Dolphin Tale” movies died Thursday evening at a Florida aquarium despite life-saving efforts to treat a gastrointestinal abnormality, aquarium officials said. A sequel, “Dolphin Tale 2,” was released three years later starring Winter and Hope, another rescued dolphin cared for by the Clearwater aquarium. Winter and Hope became the most famous residents of the Clearwater aquarium, which also operates sea turtle and manatee rescue programs.
wftv.comBeloved 'Dolphin Tale' star Winter dies at Florida aquarium
Famous Dolphin-Infection Winter the dolphin plays in the water at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Sunday, June 17, 2018, in Clearwater, Fla. The Florida aquarium will temporarily close to treat its resident prosthetic-tailed dolphin that starred in the “Dolphin Tale” movies. (Jim Damaske/Tampa Bay Times via AP, file) (Jim Damaske)CLEARWATER, Fla. — (AP) — A prosthetic-tailed dolphin named Winter that starred in the “Dolphin Tale" movies died Thursday evening at a Florida aquarium despite life-saving efforts to treat a gastrointestinal abnormality, aquarium officials said. A sequel, “Dolphin Tale 2,″ was released three years later starring Winter and Hope, another rescued dolphin cared for by the Clearwater aquarium. Winter and Hope became the most famous residents of the Clearwater aquarium, which also operates sea turtle and manatee rescue programs.
wftv.comWinter the dolphin, star of ‘Dolphin Tale,’ critically ill at Florida aquarium
>> Read more trending newsOfficials with the Clearwater Marine Aquarium said Wednesday that tests showed that Winter’s “intestinal abnormalities have intensified” despite treatment from the aquarium’s animal care experts. Winter has been at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium since 2005, after she became entangled in a crab trapline and lost her tail. “During this time, she has faced many health challenges due to her injury,” aquarium officials said in a statement. The movie was filmed at Clearwater Marine Aquarium, with Winter starring as herself. Winter also appeared in 2014′s “Dolphin Tale 2,” which focused on Hope, another dolphin who has been at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium since she was rescued in 2010.
wftv.comStar of "Dolphin Tale" movies falls ill at Florida aquarium
CLEARWATER, Fla. — (AP) — The prosthetic-tailed dolphin that starred in the “Dolphin Tale" movies may be fighting a gastrointestinal infection, officials said. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium said in a news release on Sunday that staff members noticed on Nov. 1 that Winter was not eating and was acting abnormally. "Dolphin Tale," which was released in 2011, chronicled Winter's recovery and her journey using a prosthetic tail. Three years later, "Dolphin Tale 2″ also starred Hope, another rescued Dolphin cared for by the Clearwater aquarium. Aquarium officials said no other animals or marine life at the facility have shown signs of illness.
wftv.comWhales surface at Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s new exhibit
CLEARWATER, Fla. – The Clearwater Marine Aquarium has opened its newest educational exhibit, Whales: Living With Giants. According to the aquarium’s website, guests will come head-to-head with whales through educational multi-media exhibits, an undersea virtual reality experience, walk-through life-size whale gallery and an interactive kid’s zone. Virtual Reality Dive at Whales: Living with Giants exhibit (Clearwater Marine Aquarium)The virtual reality experience, which requires an additional ticket add-on, was created by an Emmy Award-winning documentary team. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a non-profit organization that has a mission of preserving the environment while inspiring others through leadership in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine life; environmental education; research; and conservation. Whales: Living with Giants will be open through Aug. 31.
First right whale calves of season spotted off Florida and Georgia coasts
Vilano Beach, Fla – The Clearwater Marine Aquarium said Tuesday that the first right whale calves of the season have been spotted off the coasts of Florida and Georgia. She knew in that moment it was a North Atlantic right whale calf. The second live right whale calf of the season was spotted (swimming with a pod of bottlenose dolphins) off Vilano Beach, FL by FWC December 6. (Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute)The right whale is a federally protected endangered species under the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Researchers estimate there are less than 400 North Atlantic right whales left in the population, with fewer than 100 breeding females left.
Finned, furry, and human: Clearwater Marine Aquarium to celebrate rescue days
CLEARWATER, Fla. – Clearwater Marine Aquarium is about to celebrate the rescue anniversaries of some of its most famous dolphins, Winter and Hope. [TRENDING: This woman received the first COVID-19 vaccine | Judge scolds theme park trespasser | Chuck Yeager dies at 97]To celebrate both rescue anniversaries, the aquarium is hosting an event called Rescue Days. Talk to members of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium rescue team and check out one of our rescue vehicles from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Foster families can enjoy a socially distanced behind-the-scenes tour prior to the aquarium opening to guests. Meet with dogs from the SPCA Tampa Bay from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12. (Clearwater Marine Aquarium)Click here to learn about the event and to learn more about the aquariums health and safety guidelines that are in place.
Crews free five beached whales in Florida
REDINGTON BEACH, Fla. - Crews worked to rescue five whales in distress in the Gulf of Mexico Monday. Deputies from Florida Fish and Wildlife and officials from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium were on the shore of Redington Beach where the whales are stranded close to shore. Tents were placed over the whales to try to keep them cool. Large crowds have been gathered along the beach to watch and help with the rescue efforts. Two of the whales were taken to an animal rehabilitation facility and three were released back into the Gulf.