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Tiny Bat's Only Home Saved From Wildfires
27 Jun
Summary
- Short-tailed roundleaf bat's only known habitat protected from wildfires.
- Biologist Iroro Tanshi received the 2026 Goldman environmental award.
- The bat's habitat is within Nigeria's Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary.
The sole known habitat of the endangered short-tailed roundleaf bat, a creature weighing about as much as a teaspoon of salt, has been safeguarded from wildfires. This critical success is thanks to the conservation work led by Nigerian biologist Iroro Tanshi and her organization, SMACON.
Tanshi's organization initiated the Zero Wildfire Campaign, engaging local communities to prevent fires in the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary. This initiative has successfully protected roughly 38 square miles of the bat's vital habitat since 2022. For her dedicated conservation efforts, Tanshi was awarded the 2026 Goldman environmental award, a significant global honor.
The rediscovery of this small bat, first sighted in Nigeria in 2016 after a long absence, highlights the importance of protecting biodiversity. SMACON's work not only aids small mammals but also promotes sustainable living and biodiversity advocacy, demonstrating a successful model for community-based conservation.
