

You’ll also get to see animals undergoing rehabilitation in the aquarium’s working animal hospital. While a visit there is fascinating, its main focus isn’t on entertainment, but to rescue marine animals that include dolphins, sea turtles and river otters, rehabilitate them from sickness or injury, and whenever possible, release them back into their natural habitats.Ī majority of CMA’s resident animals can’t be released for a number of reasons, so you can see them in their permanent habitats and learn their rescue stories. Not Your Ordinary AquariumĬMA is different from most other aquariums. Millions were saddened when Winter died in 2021, but her legacy and CMA’s mission of ‘rescue, rehab and release’ lives on, strong and vibrant. With the growth, the aquarium added more space for marine animal rescue and rehabilitation, continuing their dedication to education before entertainment.
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It’s inspired millions, helping all kinds of people with challenges to press on through life’s staunchest barriers.Ī second movie followed, and aquarium attendance tripled. "Dolphin Tale,” produced by Warner Brothers and Alcon Entertainment and released nationwide in theaters in 2011, told Winter’s story of hope and perseverance. Mike Walsh and Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s Animal Care Team, came up with an ingenious idea for a prosthetic tail for Winter. Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics, along with Dr.

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She recovered completely, figured out how to use her new body to swim in a different way, and discovered she could eat fish on her own. She had energy, adaptability and a fighting spirit that blew away all expectations. Winter faced devastating odds against being able to survive at all. Tail flukes are the powerhouse of the dolphin - its engine - and are vital to be able to swim naturally. Despite intensive efforts to help her heal, she lost her entire tail fluke and joint. The line had cut off circulation to Winter’s tail flukes when she was entangled. The fisherman cut the line and called a rescue team, and the dolphin - subsequently named Winter - was transported by SeaWorld rescue van to CMA for treatment, the only aquarium that would or could take her. The dolphin was severely injured, but luckily, close enough to the water’s surface that she managed to keep breathing. That something was a baby dolphin, only two months old, tangled in a crab trap line. The tale starts in December of 2005, when a fisherman in the Mosquito Lagoon near Cape Canaveral found something that would change countless lives. Winter Zone - The filming area for Dolphin Tail and Dolphin Tail 2.It’s only fitting that the story of Clearwater Marine Aquarium - a former sewage treatment plant turned marine hospital with a mission of rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing dolphins, sea turtles and other sea animals –begins with the story of Winter-the-Dolphin. Other exhibits included in your admission ticket are: So much to see and do at Clearwater Marine Aquarium. While you are there you can take in the breathtaking views of Clearwater Beach. Enjoy their rescue stories and listen while they communicate with each other. CMA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization."Įxperience the NEW Dolphin Terrace where you can see Hope, PJ, Nicholas and Hemmingway. CMA works to accomplish their mission through leadership in education, research, and the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of marine life. Clearwater Marine Aquarium's mission is to restore and preserve our marine environment while inspiring the human spirit.

This is not your typical aquarium! Clearwater Marine Aquariums marine life rescue center is home to sea turtles and dolphins featured in the Dolphin Tale Films, filmed on location in Clearwater, Florida.Ĭome be inspired and learn about CMA's ongoing work of rescue, rehabilitation and release. Only 90 minutes from Orlando Clearwater Marine Aquarium will not disappoint. "A visit to Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a must-do for the whole family.
