The 16-year-old female bottlenose dolphin that starred in the popular movie “Dolphin Tale” died of a gastrointestinal abnormality on Thursday evening at Florida’s Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

The prosthetic-tailed dolphin named Winter was being prepared for a procedure by specialists and marine mammal experts from around the country to treat her for a gastrointestinal abnormality. She died while being held by the experts despite life-saving efforts.

“While we are heartbroken by Winter’s death, we are comforted knowing that our team did everything possible to give her the best chance at survival,” veterinarian Dr. Shelly Marquardt said in a statement.

“I’m honored to work alongside such dedicated and talented professionals who gave their all for Winter,” Marquardt added.

Aquarium president James Powell told reporters Winter previously experienced intestinal issues but she was not responding to treatment like she had in the past.

The aquarium will be closed on Friday to provide time for the staff and fans to grieve. Plans for a memorial will be announced soon.

“Many are inspired by her resiliency and this amazing response reminds us of how deeply she has affected millions, including so many on their own health journey,” the aquarium said in a statement.

Winter’s tail had to be amputated when she was 2 months old after she got entangled in a crab trap near Cape Canaveral. “Dolphin Tale,” which was released in 2011, chronicled Winter’s recovery and the efforts to fit her with a prosthetic tail, the Associated Press noted.

The film, which was mainly shot at the Clearwater aquarium, starred Harry Connick Jr., Ashley Judd, Kris Kristofferson, Morgan Freeman and Nathan Gamble. The film brought legions of fans to the aquarium to see the inspiration for the story.

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