Dolphin's prosthetic tale comes to the big screen

Looking for a family-friendly flick to enjoy this weekend? The true story of Winter, an injured Florida dolphin, hits theaters this week.

"The Early Show" introduced Winter, a baby Atlantic bottlenose dolphin, four years ago. She was found off the coast of Florida in 2005, tangled in a crab trap. When she arrived at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Winter was in dire shape.

Winter plays herself in "Dolphin Tale," a family-friendly 3-D movie starring Harry Connick Jr., Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd and Kris Kristofferson, opening Sep. 23, 2011.

Prosthetic tail dolphin's story made into film
"Bionic" dolphin getting new tail
Special Section: Eye on Parenting

David Yates, chief executive officer of Clearwater Marine Aquarium, told CBS News, "The first few days, we really didn't think she'd live at all. We had a 24-hour around-the-clock care by our veterinary staff, our animal care staff, just like at an ER in a hospital."

Staff examine Winter in 2005 shortly after she was found.

Prosthetic tail dolphin's story made into film
"Bionic" dolphin getting new tail
Special Section: Eye on Parenting

A staff member at Clearwater Marine Aquarium cares for Winter in 2005, shortly after she was found near death.

Prosthetic tail dolphin's story made into film
"Bionic" dolphin getting new tail
Special Section: Eye on Parenting

Winter receives a bottle from a staff member at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in 2005.

Prosthetic tail dolphin's story made into film
"Bionic" dolphin getting new tail
Special Section: Eye on Parenting

Winter is examined at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium shortly after she was found in 2005.

Prosthetic tail dolphin's story made into film
"Bionic" dolphin getting new tail
Special Section: Eye on Parenting

Winter survived her ordeal, but her tail did not. She was left with a stump and a funny way of swimming, CBS News correspondent and resident veterinarian, Dr. Debbye Turner Bell reported.

Prosthetic tail dolphin's story made into film
"Bionic" dolphin getting new tail
Special Section: Eye on Parenting

Abby Stone, senior marine mammal trainer at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium holds the fluke-less tail of dolphin Winter in Clearwater, Fla.

Prosthetic tail dolphin's story made into film
"Bionic" dolphin getting new tail
Special Section: Eye on Parenting

Winter the dolphin swims at Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater, Fla.

Prosthetic tail dolphin's story made into film
"Bionic" dolphin getting new tail
Special Section: Eye on Parenting

World-renown prosthetist, Kevin Carroll, right, designed Winter a prosthetic tail made of high tech silicone and plastic.

Prosthetic tail dolphin's story made into film
"Bionic" dolphin getting new tail
Special Section: Eye on Parenting

Prosthetist Kevin Carroll demonstrates how Winter's tail moves.

Prosthetic tail dolphin's story made into film
"Bionic" dolphin getting new tail
Special Section: Eye on Parenting

Clearwater Marine Aquarium's David Yates holds one of Winter's prosthetic tails.

Prosthetic tail dolphin's story made into film
"Bionic" dolphin getting new tail
Special Section: Eye on Parenting

Clearwater Marine Aquarium senior marine mammal trainer Abby Stone fits Winter with a prosthetic tail in Clearwater, Fla.

Prosthetic tail dolphin's story made into film
"Bionic" dolphin getting new tail
Special Section: Eye on Parenting

Clearwater Marine Aquarium senior marine mammal trainer Abby Stone works with Winter.

Today, Winter can swim like other dolphins.

Prosthetic tail dolphin's story made into film
"Bionic" dolphin getting new tail
Special Section: Eye on Parenting

Dr. Debbye Turner Bell said on "The Early Show" that Winter, who is still growing, has been through 20 versions of her prosthetic tail and will have to have a new ones made as she continues to grow.

Prosthetic tail dolphin's story made into film
"Bionic" dolphin getting new tail
Special Section: Eye on Parenting

"Winter wears (the prosthetic) maybe two or three times a day for about 30 minutes," Dr. Debbye Turner Bell said on "The Early Show." "Not all the time."

Prosthetic tail dolphin's story made into film
"Bionic" dolphin getting new tail
Special Section: Eye on Parenting

Clearwater Marine Aquarium senior marine mammal trainer Abby Stone, left, shows Winter the dolphin to J.C. Barton, center, of Williamson, N.Y., and Kelsie Castagne, of Carmel, N.Y., in Clearwater, Fla.

Prosthetic tail dolphin's story made into film
"Bionic" dolphin getting new tail
Special Section: Eye on Parenting

Legions of fans follow Winter on her two Facebook pages (http://www.facebook.com/winter.dolphin and http://www.facebook.com/pages/Winter-the-Dolphin/267318654972) and she even has her own Twitter page.

Prosthetic tail dolphin's story made into film
"Bionic" dolphin getting new tail
Special Section: Eye on Parenting

Pink and blue stuffed Winter the dolphin dolls are for sale at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater, Fla.

The nonprofit public aquarium was about ready to go belly-up at the end of 2005 when Winter was brought there. Since then, Winter's fame has transformed the facility into a major tourist attraction.

Prosthetic tail dolphin's story made into film
"Bionic" dolphin getting new tail
Special Section: Eye on Parenting

In this Aug. 31 photo, Clearwater Marine Aquarium trainer Cindy Farber works with dolphins Winter, right, and Panama in Clearwater, Fla.

Prosthetic tail dolphin's story made into film
"Bionic" dolphin getting new tail
Special Section: Eye on Parenting

Clearwater Marine Aquarium senior marine mammal trainer Abby Stone, right, grabs Winter the dolphin's prosthetic fluke as Emily Egan holds her Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2011, in Clearwater, Fla.

Prosthetic tail dolphin's story made into film
"Bionic" dolphin getting new tail
Special Section: Eye on Parenting

Clearwater Marine Aquarium senior marine mammal trainer Abby Stone kisses Winter the dolphin during a show Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2011, in Clearwater, Fla.

Prosthetic tail dolphin's story made into film
"Bionic" dolphin getting new tail
Special Section: Eye on Parenting

Clearwater Marine Aquarium trainer Cindy Farber reaches out to touch Winter the dolphin on the nose in Clearwater, Fla.

Prosthetic tail dolphin's story made into film
"Bionic" dolphin getting new tail
Special Section: Eye on Parenting

Winter swims in a tank in Clearwater, Fla.

"Dolphin Tale," a new movie by Warner Bros. Pictures, chronicles Winter's amazing journey of survival. The film stars Academy Award-winner, Morgan Freeman, and musician and actor, Harry Connick Jr. Winter is playing herself.

David Yates, chief executive officer of Clearwater Marine Aquarium, said of Winter's acting, "I do call Winter our little dolphin diva. Let's put it this way, she knows when the cameras are on. She's a very smart animal."

Prosthetic tail dolphin's story made into film
"Bionic" dolphin getting new tail
Special Section: Eye on Parenting

Still of Nathan Gamble in "Dolphin Tale." — Warner Bros. Pictures

Nathan Gamble and Winter in "Dolphin Tale."

Prosthetic tail dolphin's story made into film
"Bionic" dolphin getting new tail
Special Section: Eye on Parenting

AP Photo/LARA CERRI, St. Petersburg Times

Nathan Gamble, who portrays Sawyer Nelson in the movie about the story of Winter, gets interviewed as he walks along the red carpet for the opening of "A Dolphin Tale" at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, Fla., on Wednesday, Sep. 21, 2011.

Prosthetic tail dolphin's story made into film
"Bionic" dolphin getting new tail
Special Section: Eye on Parenting

Nathan Gamble and Winter in "Dolphin Tale."

David Yates, chief executive officer of Clearwater Marine Aquarium, said, "There's a lot of inspiring movies, but very few life-changing movies, and this movie will change lives and I know that because we see it happen with winter and kids here every single day at the aquarium."

Prosthetic tail dolphin's story made into film
"Bionic" dolphin getting new tail
Special Section: Eye on Parenting

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium saved Winter's life and now, thanks to her big screen debut, Winter has returned the favor.

Before Winter, the aquarium was in a financial bind. David Yates, chief executive officer of Clearwater Marine Aquarium, said that once Winter arrived, the aquarium's financials improved dramatically and that he expects a further bump once the film premieres.

Winter-themed books, t-shirts, and plush dolls have brought the once faltering aquarium back to life. Both the faculty and Winter are thriving - a happy ending for everyone.

Prosthetic tail dolphin's story made into film
"Bionic" dolphin getting new tail
Special Section: Eye on Parenting