Sadly November 11, Clearwater Marine Aquarium announced that Winter the Dolphin died at approximately 8 p.m that night. as animal care experts from around the country worked to treat her gastrointestinal abnormality. During preparation for a procedure, the CMA Animal Care team observed that Winter’s behavior and vital signs were declining. The medical team tried several life-saving efforts, but sadly she past away.
November 12 morning, CMA veterinarian Dr. Shelly Marquardt and several veterinary medicine experts from around the country joined a team that conducted Winter’s necropsy, an animal autopsy. Preliminary results indicate the cause of Winter’s death was an intestinal torsion – essentially, Winter’s intestines had twisted deep in her intestine. While CMA team provided Winter the best care and treatment available, the location of the torsion made it impossible to reach through surgery. There was nothing more the team could have done to save her life.
Plans for a memorial for Winter, honoring the positive impact she made on the world, will be announced soon by CMA.