Nigerian scientist Iroro Tanshi’s groundbreaking work has earned her the global Goldman Environmental Prize for her determined efforts to save the endangered short-tailed roundleaf bat. Tanshi’s engagement with her local community, combined with her scientific expertise, has helped shift attitudes towards bats in a culture that often views them with suspicion due to associations with witchcraft.

Her journey began with a harrowing encounter with wildfires in the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, where she discovered the bats shortly before the fires threatened their habitat. Tanshi described the sighting as monumental and said it should have been celebrated on a grand scale. However, instead of rejoicing, she faced the looming threat of wildfires.

Recognizing the shared stakes, she successfully mobilized local communities to take action against wildfires, framing the issue as a critical concern that also affected their farmland. In our case, it was because the wildfire problem was also a community problem - that was the hook, she stated.

Thanks to her leadership, Tanshi’s initiative has prevented serious wildfires over the last few years, underscoring the direct link between conservation, localized agriculture, and the necessity of protecting endangered species.

Educating the public about the ecological benefits of bats—such as seed dispersal and pollination—has also been a cornerstone of her campaign. Despite the fear surrounding bats, Tanshi advocates for their crucial role in society, emphasizing that many everyday products, including shea butter, rely on the ecological services provided by bats.

Tanshi, currently a postdoctoral researcher in the US, considers winning the Goldman Prize an ‘incredible honour’ and a validation of her mission’s global relevance. She joins an all-female cohort of awardees this year, marking a significant moment in the prize's history.}