The Clearwater Marine Aquarium became well-known after rescuing Winter the Dolphin. Because its popularity continues to grow, the aquarium started construction to expand its facility to better meet the demands of the aquarium.
The expansion will allow experts to rescue and release more marine life, enhance the living habitat for their resident non-releasable animals, and provide more space for guests. Kaylee Galindo, an animal care specialist, works closely with the resident marine animals every day.
“We are very excited from a training team standpoint to be able to provide the best habitats possible for our current resident animals,” said Galindo. “It’ll definitely give us more room for animals who are deemed non-releasable to be a forever home.”
Winter was found entangled in a crab trap line, and the injury was so severe, her tail flukes fell off. Experts were able to make a custom prosthetic tail, and people have followed her journey ever since. Cammie Zodrow, who is the marine mammal department supervisor, works with Winter daily.
“A lot of people relate to her in ways that I don’t think any other dolphin that I’ve worked with has made an impact,” said Zodrow. “Having a facility that allows us to provide care to them is, to me, the most important thing.”
