On a dark rainy night in Mosquito Lagoon near Cape Canaveral Florida, a little three month old dolphin named Winter was swimming near an old abandoned crab trap looking for food. She searched the rough murky waters until she found some small fish for a tasty midnight snack. Suddenly her tail got caught in 1 the crab trap ropes. Winter is an Atlantic bottlenose Dolphin that breathes air like humans and other mammals so she can't stay under the water for long. She tried to get her tail free from the ropes and was almost out of air. She tried biting the ropes but they were too strong for her young teeth. With one last effort she pulled with all her might flapping her tail as hard as she could. The ropes dug deep into her soft skin cutting more and more delicate tissue away with every tug, until finally, she was free. At the surface she gasps for air losing precious blood with each heartbeat. Weak from fighting for her life she floats motionless for hours.

In the cool calm morning sunlight, a fishing boat sees Winter floating on the water wounded and barely alive. The fishermen knew they had to help. Winter was rescued and transported to Clearwater Marine Aquarium by Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute and Hubbs Institute of Orlando. The doctors quickly rushed Winter into the emergency room for examination. They found deep wounds on both sides of her mouth, across her

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

tongue, under both of the pectoral fins, and on her peduncle from the crab trap ropes. The wounds on her upper and lower tail stalk were so deep that the blood flow was cut off and the tail tissue was now dead and fell off over the first few days that she was at Clearwater Aquarium. On arrival she

was dehydrated and thin, and had problems eating. The doctors tried everything to save little Winter but she was not expected to survive. However, she surprised everyone by not only living through this tragedy but finding a way to adapt to life with
no tail. Winter started swimming like her little fish friends. Dolphins normally swim by flapping their tail up

and down. Fish swim by moving their tails side to side. Winter had a strong will to live and to swim. However, the doctors said Winter's spine is not designed to swim like a fish and if she continues to do so it will hurt her spine and could even paralyze her for life. The octors and veterinarians wanted to help Winter and worked night and day researching all possibilities. Soon doctors and other marine life professionals came up with the idea of fitting Winter with a prosthetic tail. This venture would be very expensive and the first of its kind requiring advanced high technology to achieve. Kevin Carroll, a world renowned prosthetic designer got involved and met with 6 Winter for a full examination. He felt sorry for the poor little dolphin and began testing some new ideas for an artificial tail that would have special suction technology, flexibility and durability. After a year of research and development the first new tail was made and fitted on Winter. She is now re-learning how to swim again like a dolphin. Over the course of Winter's life and growth she will need about four different tails. Because the technology and fabrication of Winter's tail is new each tail is costly. Your purchase of this product helps fund the care of Winter and training her to use her new tail. If you would like to help more here are a few other ways.

 

Globe Industries and Donjo Designs help marine life all over the world. Part of the proceeds from the purchase of all Winter sculptures by Donjo will help the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in providing Winter with her happy new tails in the future. Please choose from the product selection below.

 

"Winter’s Dream” Brass 20”x 8”x 6”   "Winter’s Dream” Copperfill 12”x 5”x 5” "Winter’s Dream” Clear Illuminated Acrylic 12”x 5”x 5” "“Winter’s Splash” Clear Acrylic Wall Sconce 17”x 8”x 10”   "Winter’s Dream” Monument 11’ x 3’ x 2 ’

Purchase any of these sculptures from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium or retailers listed on Donjo.net.

Join the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to help Winter and other ocean animals. www.SeeWinter.com cmaquarium.org

Clearwater Marine Aquarium 249 Windward Passage Clearwater, Florida 33767-2244 USA Telephone: (727) 441-1790

P.O. Box 2134 El Segundo, California 90245 USA 310-441-2580 Fax 310-640-2580 Donjo.net

 

Donjo is an internationally renowned sculptor. Born in Chicago and raised in Southern California. In 1987 he began to focus exclusively on marine life sculptures after a whale watching experince changed his life. He helps Dolphins, Sea Turtles, Sea Lions, Whales and other ocean animals at many rescue centers. His new objective is to develop public awareness to help with the preservation of marine life and other endangered animals throughout the world. He and Winter have swam together and became very good friends from the start.

Donjo

is dedicated to helping all forms of marine life around the world and invites you to do the same. Get involved. Ocean animals need our love and care when they are hurt or wounded. Give from the heart and you will feel the difference you make.

Thank you for your help!