Clearwater Marine Aquarium mourns dolphin whose recovery after losing tail was chronicled in the film Dolphin Tale.

Clearwater mourns with the world after Winter's death.

"We’re all devastated. Our staff is devastated, the world is so sad to have lost an animal ambassador that has inspired us all," offered CMA's director, Dr. James ‘Buddy’ Powell. "Her legacy will continue to live on though the work that we do. The hospital behind us will continue to save the lives of animals and inspire others. We are very grateful for what Winter brought to us."

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 an aquarium on Saturday.

The dolphin’s intestines were in an area impossible to reach through surgery.
 
“There was nothing more the team could have done to save her life,” a statement from Clearwater Marine Aquarium said, adding that the condition is found in stranded wild dolphins “as well as any living being with intestines”.

Winter, who died on Thursday, inspired fans young and old after her tail was amputated when it became entangled in a crab trap rope, cutting off circulation.

A prosthetic tail and a miraculous recovery offered hope to many with illnesses and disabilities.

Winter was discovered entangled in a crab trap line in a Florida lagoon when she was just two months old. She lost her tail as a result of her injuries and has been a fixture at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium since 2005. 

A team of experts developed a first-of-its-kind prosthetic tail for Winter. She adapted to it, made a complete recovery and learned to swim like other dolphins.