New documentary spotlights endangered sicklefin devil rays of the Azores

The Manta Trust has released a new, 13-minute short documentary exploring the lives of the endangered Sicklefin devil rays (Mobula tarapacana) that gather each summer at Ambrósio Seamount, off Santa Maria in the Azores.

The film follows Ana Filipa Sobral, founder of Manta Catalog Azores, as she and her team document, study, and protect these remarkable ocean giants.

Through immersive underwater cinematography, the documentary captures the devil rays’ curious interactions with divers, their graceful movements, and the vital research underpinning their conservation.

‘Every encounter with these animals is memorable,’ Sobral says in the film. ‘It’s a privilege to share these moments with a species so rare and endangered. These animals inspire us to protect their habitats and ensure a future for them in our oceans.’

The film also outlines some of the global pressures facing devil rays, including fisheries and bycatch, and introduces the Devil Ray Code of Conduct, a set of guidelines developed with the Manta Trust to promote responsible in-water interactions.

Where Devils Return is the final film in an eight-part video series documenting the 2025 Azores Devil Ray Research Expedition. The series highlights innovative research, community outreach, and the role of citizen science in improving global understanding of mobulid rays.

Both the expedition and the documentary were supported by Carl F. Bucherer, a long-term supporter of the Manta Trust. The full playlist can be viewed here.

Jasmine Corbett, Media and Communications Manager at the Manta Trust, said the project aimed to highlight both the species and the importance of responsible tourism.

‘This project offered a rare opportunity to document a species that is seldom seen in such large numbers,’ she said. ‘By following Ana’s work at Ambrósio, we wanted to show not only how extraordinary these animals are, but why responsible tourism, research, and conservation must go hand in hand to secure their future.’

The documentary is available to watch on the Manta Trust’s YouTube channel.

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