Feb 25, 2014 5:30 AM

Gallery: Photos: A Sanctuary for Enormous, Majestic Manta Rays

Shawn Heinrichs for WildAid & Conservation International
01
Indonesia Manta Tourism
Indonesia, recognizing that mantas are iconic marine creatures with incredible tourism potential value, just declared the world's biggest manta sanctuary at 2.3 million square miles.
Shawn Heinrichs for WildAid & Conservation International
02
2-ShawnHeinrichs-20131123-172220--B4V0807-Edit
Reef manta rays form a feeding train in Raja Ampat, Indonesia.

Shawn Heinrichs for WildAid & Conservation International
03
Indonesia Manta Tourism
A tourist swims with manta rays near Manta Ridge, Raja Ampat.
Shawn Heinrichs for WildAid & Conservation International
04
4-ShawnHeinrichs-20110701-205431-2011-07-01 at 20-54-31-2
This oceanic manta ray battled for its life for an hour before being speared and dragged up to a hunting boat in Lamakera, Indonesia.

Shawn Heinrichs for WildAid & Conservation International
05
Indonesia Manta Fishery
Dead oceanic manta ray strapped to the deck of a hunting boat in Lamakera, Indonesia.
Shawn Heinrichs for WildAid & Conservation International
06
Indonesia Manta Fishery
Young boy looks down sadly at a dead baby reef manta ray. With many local populations depleted, fishermen have begun targeting even baby manta rays.

Shawn Heinrichs for WildAid & Conservation International
07
Indonesia Manta Fishery
Fisherman hoists the body of a baby manta ray.
Shawn Heinrichs for WildAid & Conservation International
08
Indonesia Manta Fishery
A Singapore store owner offers a manta gill for sale.

Shawn Heinrichs for WildAid & Conservation International
09
Indonesia Manta Tourism
Dive tourists in Nusa Penda, Bali watch in awe as a manta dances before them.
Shawn Heinrichs for WildAid & Conservation International
10
Indonesia Manta Tourism
A baby manta ray swims in Raja Ampat, Indonesia.

Mapping Every Flock License Plate Reader Near US World Cup Stadiums

Most US World Cup stadiums are surrounded by surveillance cameras. Want to know if you’re being watched on your way to a match? These maps will help you.

Maddy Varner

This World Cup, You Can Watch the Game From a Ref’s Point of View

Referees for the 2026 World Cup will be wearing cameras positioned at their temples, allowing TV audiences to see a live view of the pitch from a vantage point they never have before.

Ben Dowsett

The World Cup’s Trionda Ball Challenges Traditional Aerodynamics

According to new research, Trionda would show less unpredictable movements in actions such as corner kicks or free kicks. However, in powerful and long-distance clearances it would lose range.

Fernanda González

Soccer Fans, You’re Being Watched

From anti-drone tech to face recognition, 2026 World Cup stadiums in the US, Canada, and Mexico are subjecting fans to an array of surveillance tech. Here’s what you need to know.

Vas Panagiotopoulos

How to Watch the 2026 World Cup

The games start June 11 and end with a grand finale in New Jersey on July 19. There are 104 of them. Here’s how to watch ’em all.

Boone Ashworth

Artificial Intelligence Sneaks Into the World Cup Thanks to Google Gemini

The Argentine national team will be Google’s test bench and technological showcase during the World Cup.

Rosa Jiménez Cano

The Other Major Soccer Event of 2026? The Shake-Up in the World of Video Games

The 48-team World Cup is not the only historic soccer event this year. Four titans are vying for control of video game soccer in the fiercest battle the industry has ever seen.

Javier Rodríguez

Amnesty International Warns That World Cup Fans Face Potential Human Rights Violations

The organization claims that the FIFA tournament could have impacts on the rights of local people and visiting soccer fans in all three host countries.

Fernanda González