In brief
Iroro Tanshi has been awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize for her impactful work in saving the endangered short-tailed roundleaf bat in Nigeria's Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary. Collaborating with local communities, Tanshi has successfully launched initiatives to combat wildfires while educating the public about the ecological importance of bats, traditionally viewed with fear and superstition in her country. Her victory marks a significant achievement as all six winners this year are women.
Nigerian scientist Iroro Tanshi has recently been honored with the global Goldman Environmental Prize, due to her commitment to conserving bats in her homeland. Following a profound personal encounter with wildfires threatening the bats she had just discovered, Tanshi mobilized a community-led initiative aimed at wildfire prevention within the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary. In a region where bats are often stigmatized due to associations with witchcraft, she made significant strides in changing public perception by highlighting the bats' crucial ecological roles, such as seed dispersal and pollination.In her own words, she explained that engagement with the community was successful because they recognized wildfires as a mutual problem that impacted both agriculture and bat habitats. Tanshi's innovative approach helped prevent serious wildfires from devastating the sanctuary, fostering an appreciation for bats through educational campaigns targeting local schools and families.Now, as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Washington, Tanshi continues her dedication to ecological conservation, advocating for the vital role bats play in the ecosystem. Winning the Goldman Environmental Prize, she shared how it signals global recognition for local conservation efforts and serves as an inspiration for others in similar fields.
