Winter was caught in a blue crab trap at 3 months old in December 2005 (thus her name), in Mosquito Lagoon off the coast of Florida. The rope cut off the blood supply to her tail. She was spotted and caught by a small fishing boat, and a SeaWorld team brought her to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Her condition was critical for a few days, and she was not expected to live. Despite this she survived, but was left with a stump for a tail. Originally it was thought that Winter would have to learn to swim without a tail. This forced her to switch her swimming style from "up and down" to "side to...