29th January 2026
New Documentary Highlights the Endangered Sicklefin Devil Rays of the Azores
Where Devils Return, a 13-minute short documentary by the Manta Trust, launches today at 8pm GMT on YouTube, 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.
© Jasmine Corbett
“Every encounter with these animals is memorable,” says Ana 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 documentary also addresses global threats facing devil rays, including fisheries and bycatch, and introduces the Devil Ray Code of Conduct - a set of best-practice guidelines developed with the Manta Trust to promote safe, respectful interactions between people and rays in the water.
The Devil Ray Code of Conduct
Where Devils Return is the final film in an eight-part video series documenting the 2025 Azores Devil Ray Research Expedition. Both the expedition and the documentary were supported by Carl F. Bucherer, a long-term supporter of the Manta Trust. The series highlights innovative research, community outreach, and the role of citizen science in improving global understanding of mobulid rays. The full playlist can be viewed here.
© Jasmine Corbett
Jasmine Corbett, Media and Communications Manager of the Manta Trust, said:
“This project offered a rare opportunity to document a species that is seldom seen in such large numbers. By following Ana’s work at Ambrosio, 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 13-minute documentary is available to watch via YouTube Premiere now: Watch the Premiere.
© Catarina Fazenda
FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Contact: Jasmine Corbett
Manta Trust Media and Communications Manager
Email: jasmine.corbett@mantatrust.org
Press Release Credits
Written by: Jasmine Corbett
Images: Photographer’s credit below images – ensure that credit is given if images are used
About the Manta Trust
The Manta Trust is a UK-registered marine conservation charity dedicated to the research and protection of manta and devil rays and their habitats. Through science, advocacy, and education, the Manta Trust works to secure a sustainable future for these vulnerable ocean giants.
About Manta Catalog Azores
Founded by Ana Filipa Sobral, Manta Catalog Azores is an affiliate project of the Manta Trust dedicated to researching and conserving manta and devil rays in the Azores. The project works to improve understanding of mobulid populations, their movements, and critical habitats, while engaging local communities and stakeholders to support responsible tourism and effective conservation.