A Dolphin's tail

One of the goals Keith and I had for the family while down here was to do a once a week adventure. This area has so much to offer and do. Mondays will more than likely be the day that we'll set aside to do these activities what ever it may be (not including our daily trips to the beach after the school day).

 This week we were trying to decide if we wanted to go to the Florida Aquarium in Tampa. Looking at the price, trying to figure out from website if it was something we would enjoy. We decided when all was said and done to try the Clearwater Marine Aquarium instead. We didn't know much about the aquarium other than the fact that Winter the Dolphin lives there. Winter is the Dolphin who starred in the movie Dolphin Tale http://dolphintalemovie.warnerbros.com/index.html  This aquarium is dedicated to the rescue of marine life and rehabilitating them back to health and, if able, releasing them back into the wild. They partner with other organizations around Florida who work together in rescuing these animals. Winter, was incitially rescued by Sea World, than transported to CMA.  CMA is a non-profit organization that heavily depends on volunteers to run their facility. The place does need some work and I foresee that Winter's fame will bring in the much needed cash to run their facility and rescue more marine life. We learned so much about the marine life around this area.

One thing that we learned is that when you go the beaches in this area you see signs letting you know Sting Rays live near the shore and to shuffle into the water. When Sting Rays are surprised they will whip their tail up and their barbs will go into your leg. They aren't deadly, but they do hurt you and release a toxin into system. Diluted vinegar is recommended to ease the pain, but you need to go to the hospital for them to take the barb out. (We now will be carrying diluted vinegar.) My kids have seen Southern Sting Rays in the water while swimming. They say it is kind of freaky to see them. I would imagine that it would be freaky to see these creatures move in the sand! Shuffling your feet is the key to not being barbed by one! One of the exhibits was about sting rays. We were able to touch them as they swam by us in their tank. All of them were rescued for one reason or another. They feel slimy and velvety all at the same time. The Southern Sting Rays are different from the Cownose Sting Rays.

 The bottom one is a Southern Sting Ray. 

This is a cownose stingray.

The next few pictures are of Winter. Her story for those who are reading ,and don't know,  is quite remarkable and has been inspiring those who have either been born without a limb or lost a limb through accidents. Winter was rescued 6 years ago, on the east coast of Florida near New Smyrna Beach. She was tangled up in the rope & buoy for a crab trap and was in terrible shape by the time the rescue crew got to her. She was transported to CMA where the trainers, marine vets and volunteer staff stayed with her in a holding pool around the clock. They taught her to eat by a bottle, they taught that touch was okay, they taught her to swim and accept what was being done to her. They basically habituated her into accepting all they had for her in her recovery at CMA. She eventually lost her tail due to the damage incurred from being tangled so tightly for such a long time.. 

Here she is with her trainer

Her trainer is taking her prosthetic fin off

The tail is removed . Winter can only wear her tail so many hours a day.
She still goes for physiotherapy to keep her body strong, as she swims sideways instead of straight.

This is a smaller tail.
Winter has had 17 tails made for her and will continue to have them made until she is fully grown.

This sock is the key to keeping the tail on. The prosthetic tail uses it's own suction to keep the tail on. It is a strange feeling material. The sock is quite thick, almost like a neoprene, but I don't remember what it is called.

CMA's main star is Winter, however they have other stars, too. I'll leave you some picture of the others who are permanent residents. 

This is Nicolas showing off! He was orphaned and will always live at the CMA.

Hope you have enjoyed this blog! Tomorrow we are heading to the MOSI. It is the Museum of Science and Industry. http://www.mosi.org/  They are having a special $5 admission day...who can beat that?!?  It should be a great day together. Also on the agenda is the Florida Orchestra outdoor free Pops concert. Have a great weekend!