The Coolest Part About Dolphin Tale 2
Image Credit: Clearwater Marine Aquarium
The sequel to the heartwarming family film Dolphin Tale premieres in theaters next month and we’re super excited about it.
Why? Because Dolphin Tale 2 will be seen by hundreds of thousands of people nationwide will feature an awesome true story about the famous dolphin Winter, whose inspirational rescue and recovery made her an icon to people around the world.
And we think the word “true” is the best part. Since Blackfish’s sensationalism and blatant falsities have taken over the airwaves, the public desperately needs to be reminded why facilities like the Clearwater Marine Aquarium exist. Accredited zoos and aquariums like Mystic Aquarium, SeaWorld, the San Diego Zoo, Vancouver Aquarium, and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (just to name a few) occupy a vital role in today’s society: to provide the highest quality of care, no matter what.
According to their website, the aquarium, located near Tampa, Florida, provides the highest standards of healthcare and rehabilitation with the ultimate objective of release. Like SeaWorld, Clearwater Marine Aquarium recognizes that not all rescued animals are candidates for release, and those who are determined to need long-term care are given the attention and respect they deserve.
In an interview with Cozi Zuehlsdorff, one of the main cast members in Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2, he wanted to make one thing clear:
“We can’t even be compared to SeaWorld because we’re nothing like it. It’s like apples and oranges. A lot of people think that SeaWorld produced our movie and that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Alcon Entertainment and Warner Bros. did our film,” Zuehlsdorff said. “We have the utmost respect for the care they give at SeaWorld, we’re not saying anything bad about them, but we are in no way affiliated at all with them.”
And that’s the point, isn’t it? The level of care is the most crucial aspect here. Misinformation, blatant disregard for truth, and the zealotry of activists have effectively forced the real issue of animal care under a table, behind a curtain, and into a corner.
And while SeaWorld didn’t produce the Dolphin Tale films, they did play a critical role in Winter’s rescue. After a fisherman spotted the injured dolphin in the Mosquito Lagoon on Florida’s east coast, first responders from the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission were on the scene. The team arrived at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium that night and Winter has thrived in her new home ever since.
The sequel continues Winter’s story and closely examines dolphin social structures and bonds. When Winter’s surrogate mother and the only poolmate she has ever known, Panama, passes away of old age, Winter’s situation becomes dire. She stops eating and playing, remaining underwater and refusing to engage in normal activity. According to USDA regulations, dolphins cannot be housed alone because their social behavior dictates companionship.
The team at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium knew they had to find a companion for Winter and find one fast. Enter Hope, a young dolphin rescued five years and one day after Winter. We won’t say any spoilers – but the phrase “feel good film” won’t even cover it.
Now that you’ve ingested a little backstory to the film, remember that Warner Bros. Pictures and Alcon Entertainment’s Dolphin Tale 2 welcomes back all main cast members and opens nationwide September 12, 2014. You can bet we’ll be catching a showing.
