Photos show release of giant Amazon river turtle hatchlings in key Brazilian reserve
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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)
Original Publication Date: November 20, 2025 3:41PM
Publication Updated: November 20, 2025 4:33PM
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.
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This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
A rievr snakes through 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 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)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)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 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)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 turtle hatchling emerges from its nest at the Abufari Biological Reserve, in Tapaua, Amazonas state, Brazil, Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros)
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