A new documentary, 'The Last Dive', profiles the extraordinary 37-year bond between Terry Kennedy, an 83-year-old American diver, and Willy, a giant Pacific manta ray, off the Revillagigedo Archipelago. The film explores how this relationship transformed Kennedy from a big game fish hunter into a dedicated conservationist, highlighting Willy's intelligence and the urgent need for marine conservation amidst environmental threats.
Manta man: film profiles unlikely bond between diver and giant sea creature
Marine lifeEnvironmentFishDocumentary filmsCulture
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️A new documentary, 'The Last Dive', profiles the extraordinary 37-year bond between Terry Kennedy, an 83-year-old American diver, and Willy, a giant Pacific manta ray, off the Revillagigedo Archipelago. The film explores how this relationship transformed Kennedy from a big game fish hunter into a dedicated conservationist, highlighting Willy's intelligence and the urgent need for marine conservation amidst environmental threats.
Trending- 1 1988 December: Terry Kennedy met Willy.
- 2 1994 Valentine's Day: Kennedy filmed manta slaughter at San Benedicto island.
- 3 After 1994: Revillagigedo Archipelago declared nationally protected marine reserve.
- 4 2020: Netflix's The Octopus Teacher released.
- 5 2021: Enric Sala was an Earthshot Prize finalist.
- 6 Current: 37 years after first meeting, 'The Last Dive' documentary released.
- 7 Sunday (relative to article): 'The Last Dive' released.
- Terry Kennedy transformed into a conservationist
- International outcry after manta slaughter led to Revillagigedo Archipelago being declared a protected marine reserve
- Increased awareness of marine threats
- Potential inspiration for new generation of ocean lovers
- US environmental rollbacks setting dangerous examples
What: The documentary 'The Last Dive' explores the 37-year bond between diver Terry Kennedy and a giant Pacific manta ray named Willy, off the Revillagigedo Archipelago. The film details how this relationship transformed Kennedy into a conservationist, highlighting Willy's intelligence and the urgent need for marine protection due to threats like overfishing and pollution.
When: December 1988 (Kennedy met Willy), 37 years on (current time for documentary release), Sunday (documentary release), 2020 (The Octopus Teacher release), 1994 (manta slaughter incident), 2021 (Enric Sala finalist).
Where: Revillagigedo Archipelago, off southern coast of Baja California, San Benedicto island, US (for screenings), New Zealand (for screenings), Vietnam (Kennedy served).
Why: To tell the story of an unlikely human-animal bond, inspire marine conservation, and raise awareness about the threats to ocean life and the importance of responsible diving and environmental protection.
How: Through a new documentary film, 'The Last Dive,' which features interviews with Terry Kennedy and film-maker Cody Sheehy, and recounts specific instances of Kennedy's interactions with Willy and his subsequent conservation efforts.