Winter, the star of 'Dolphin Tale'

Things to Do

Winter, the star of 'Dolphin Tale'

The injured dolphin that was rehabilitated has inspired a 3-D movie in which she is the star.

YOU'LL FLIP OVER MY NEW MOVIE! In this Aug 31 photo, Winter the dolphin swims in a tank 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.

The injured dolphin had to learn how to swim with just a stump and then adapt to a revolutionary prosthetic. Winter's inspirational story of perseverance made her a global media star.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium CEO David Yates holds one of Winter the dolphin's prosthetic tails.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium senior marine mammal trainer Abby Stone fits Winter the dolphin with a prosthetic tail.

The nonprofit public aquarium in Clearwater, Fla. was about ready to go belly-up at the end of 2005 when Winter, the bottlenose dolphin was brought there after getting her tail tightly entangled in a crab-trap line.

A closeup of the flukeless tail of the dolphin named Winter, star of a 3-D movie.

Trainer Cindy Farber reaches out to touch Winter the dolphin on the nose.

Senior marine mammal trainer Abby Stone kisses Winter the dolphin during a show.

Winter the dolphin swims at Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater, Fla.

Pink and blue stuffed Winter the dolphin dolls are for sale at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

1/10

YOU'LL FLIP OVER MY NEW MOVIE! In this Aug 31 photo, Winter the dolphin swims in a tank 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.

Today's Gallery Headlines

The Center tour

PHOTOS: An early look at CNN Center's redevelopment in downtown Atlanta

Wayfair Tour

PHOTOS: Wayfair opens first Atlanta store

Atlanta Hawks host the Boston Celtics

PHOTOS: Hawks defeat Celtics in key East battle

People march in Bishop Park in Athens on Saturday, March 28, 2026. Protesters gathered in 10 different locations around Georgia’s Congressional District 10, leading up to a “Democracy Fair” at Bishop Park as part of a nationwide day of “No Kings” demonstrations. Organizers estimate that a few thousand people participated, many of them first-time protesters. (C.J. Bartunek for the AJC)

PHOTOS: 'No Kings' rally at Bishop Park in Athens, Ga.

More Galleries

the weeknd

PHOTOS: The Weeknd electrifies the crowd at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz stadium

PHOTOS: Beyonce fans saddle up for 4-day Atlanta Cowboy Carter Tour stop

PHOTOS: Beyoncé fans arrive for 4-night Atlanta Cowboy Carter Tour stop

College Park Juneteenth Parade standalone photo

PHOTOS: Juneteenth Parade held in College Park