Terry Kennedy

Terry Kennedy is an 83-year-old American sailor and conservationist known for his extraordinary bond with a giant Pacific manta ray named Willy. Their friendship began in 1988 off the coast of San Benedicto island, where Kennedy's underwater adventures with Willy led to significant contributions to marine conservation, including advocating for the protection of the Revillagigedo Archipelago. A former big game fish hunter, Kennedy transformed into a passionate advocate for oceanic wildlife after witnessing the slaughter of mantas, pushing for federal fishing regulations and dedicating his life to preserving marine ecosystems.