In October 2025, the enigmatic Sicklefin Devil Ray (Mobula tarapacana) was listed as ‘critically endangered’ –  just one category away from extinction in the wild. For decades the species has contended with unsustainable, often unregulated fisheries, and a high demand for its meat and gill plates in international trade. 

The road to recovery for this species is slow: rays take roughly a decade to reach full maturity, and have a particularly slow reproductive rate – having just one pup every few years.

Santa Maria, in the Azores, is one of the few places in the world where these magnificent animals can be reliably studied, and where scientists are observing, documenting, and creating strategies to better protect them.

In celebration of these elegant species, the Manta Trust has produced and launched a new documentary, focusing on the Sicklefin devil rays of the Azores, and the work that is being undertaken by researchers and scientists to protect them.

The 13-minute, Where the Devils Return, 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, the world in which they live, and the vital research which is working to protect them.

“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 film also explores the ongoing threats Devil rays face, 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.

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. 

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 airing today at 8pm on YouTube. 

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