Photos show release of giant Amazon river turtle hatchlings in key Brazilian reserve

TAPAUA, Brazil (AP) — Environmental agents from Brazil’s Chico Mendes Institute released giant Amazon River turtle hatchlings into the waters of the Abufari Biological Reserve in Tapaua, Amazonas state, as part of a long-running conservation program. The reserve, home to an egg-laying area for the species within an integral protection zone, plays a crucial role in ensuring the survival of the turtle species known as podocnemis expansa.

This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

A turtle hatchling emerges from its nest at the Abufari Biological Reserve, in Tapaua, Amazonas state, Brazil, Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros)

An environmental agent of the Chico Mendes Institute takes photos of turtle hatchlings at the Abufari Biological Reserve, in Tapaua, Amazonas state, Brazil, Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros)

A rievr snakes through the Abufari Biological Reserve, in Tapaua, Amazonas state, Brazil, Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros)

An environmental agent of the Chico Mendes Institute loads boats with turtle hatchlings (podocnemis expansa) ahead of their release at the Abufari Biological Reserve, in Tapaua, Amazonas state, Brazil, Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros)

Environmental agents of the Chico Mendes Institute release turtle hatchlings (podocnemis expansa) into the water at the Abufari Biological Reserve, in Tapaua, Amazonas state, Brazil, Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros)

A student holds turtle hatchlings (podocnemis expansa) ahead of their release at the Abufari Biological Reserve, in Tapaua, Amazonas state, Brazil, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros)

Environmental agents of the Chico Mendes Institute transport turtle hatchlings (podocnemis expansa) to be released in the Abufari Biological Reserve, in Tapaua, Amazonas state, Brazil, Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros)

An environmental agent of the Chico Mendes Institute holds an albino turtle hatchling (podocnemis expansa) ahead of its release at the Abufari Biological Reserve, in Tapaua, Amazonas state, Brazil, Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros)

Turtle hatchlings (podocnemis expansa) wait to be released at the Abufari Biological Reserve, in Tapaua, Amazonas state, Brazil, Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros)

Environmental agents of the Chico Mendes Institute inspect nests after turtle hatchlings (podocnemis expansa) emerged at the Abufari Biological Reserve, in Tapaua, Amazonas state, Brazil, Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros)

An albino turtle hatchling sits among other Arrau turtles (podocnemis expansa) ahead of their release at the Abufari Biological Reserve, in Tapaua, Amazonas state, Brazil, Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros)

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) — Slovenia’s parliament on Friday appointed right-wing populist politician Janez Jansa as the new prime minister, in a shift for the small European Union country that was previously run by a liberal government.

Lawmakers backed Jansa in a 51-36 vote in the 90-member assembly. The new prime minister will need to come back to Parliament within the next 15 days for another vote to confirm his future Cabinet.

Jansa's appointment concludes a postelection stalemate in Slovenia after a parliamentary ballot two months ago ended practically in a tie. Former liberal Prime Minister Robert Golob's Freedom Movement won by a thin margin but he was unable to muster a parliamentary majority.

Jansa and his populist Slovenian Democratic Party signed a coalition agreement this week with several right-wing groups. The new government also has the backing of a nonestablishment Truth party that first emerged as an anti-vaccination movement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new term in office will be the fourth for the veteran Slovenian politician. Jansa, 67, is an admirer of U.S. President Donald Trump and was a close ally of former populist Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who was defeated in a landslide election last month.

Jansa in a speech listed the economy, fight against corruption and red tape, and decentralization as key goals of the future government. He has promised to lower taxes for the rich and support private education and healthcare.

Critical of the previous government's alleged “inefficiency," Jansa said the new government will turn Slovenia into “a country of opportunity, prosperity and justice, where each responsible citizen will feel safe and accepted."

Like Orban, Jansa was staunchly anti-immigrant during the huge migration wave to Europe in 2015. Also like Orban, Jansa has faced accusations of clamping down on democratic institutions and press freedoms during a previous term in 2020-2022. This led to protests at the time, and scrutiny from the European Union.

Golob in his speech described Jansa as “the greatest threat to Slovenia’s sovereignty and democracy."

Alleging that Jansa had threatened to arrest him, Golob said Jansa's "idea of democracy is that anyone who dares speak a word against you deserves only the worst.”

Jansa, a supporter of Israel, also has been a stern critic of the Golob government's 2024 recognition of a Palestinian state.

The vote on March 22 was marred by allegations of foreign influence and corruption. The around 2 million people in the Alpine nation are deeply divided between liberals and conservatives.

Janez Jansa, center, addresses the Slovenian Parliament during a session in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Friday, May 22, 2026, before appointing him as prime minister, ending a political deadlock after tight elections in March. (AP Photo/Igor Kupljenik)

Janez Jansa arrives for a session of the Slovenian Parliament in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Friday, May 22, 2026, before appointing him as prime minister, ending a political deadlock after tight elections in March. (AP Photo/Igor Kupljenik)

Janez Jansa addresses the Slovenian Parliament during a session in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Friday, May 22, 2026, before appointing him as prime minister, ending a political deadlock after tight elections in March. (AP Photo/Igor Kupljenik)