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Nigerian Scientist Finds 'Extinct' Bat
16 Jun
Summary
- A Nigerian biologist rediscovered the short-tailed roundleaf bat, thought extinct since the 1970s.
- The only known roosting colony is in Nigeria's Afi sanctuary.
- Conservation efforts focus on combating hunting and wildfires threatening the bats.
The short-tailed roundleaf bat, long thought to be extinct, has been rediscovered in Nigeria's Afi sanctuary by biologist Iroro Tanshi. This finding in 2016 marked the first sighting of the species since the 1970s, with Tanshi confirming a small colony within the Cross River rainforest.
Despite its protected status, the bat faces significant threats from hunting, partly due to negative cultural perceptions. Tanshi, along with Benneth Obitte, co-founded the Small Mammal Conservation Organisation (Smacon) in 2016 to advocate for bats and other small creatures.
Smacon launched the Zero Wildfire Campaign the following year to mitigate destructive fires. Tanshi also formed Forest Guardians for swift wildfire response. Her conservation efforts have earned her prestigious awards, including the Goldman Environmental Prize, a National Geographic explorer title, and a Whitley Award.
