Nigerian Scientist Wins Global Goldman Environmental Prize for Bat Conservation

Mon Apr 20 2026 19:29:42 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Iroro Tanshi, a Nigerian ecologist, has been awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize for her groundbreaking work in conserving bats in Nigeria, despite cultural challenges. Her efforts prevented wildfires threatening the local bat population.

Iroro Tanshi has received the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize for her significant contributions to bat conservation in Nigeria, combating cultural taboos and environmental threats. By educating communities about the ecological importance of bats and implementing wildfire prevention strategies, Tanshi's work has garnered international recognition.

A Nigerian scientist's personal experience with a wildfire that threatened endangered bats has earned her the prestigious global Goldman Environmental Prize.

Iroro Tanshi discovered the short-tailed roundleaf bat in the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, a significant find as it had not been seen in nearly 50 years. However, her discovery came alongside a serious wildfire threat to the habitat.

In Nigeria, where bats are often linked to superstition, Tanshi launched a community-led campaign to protect these misunderstood creatures by tackling the wildfire situation directly. She emphasized the need to change local perceptions to preserve their habitat.

It's really the question of: 'How do we convince people to protect the habitat?' Tanshi explained. She successfully connected wildfire prevention to community issues, highlighting that the threat was not just environmental but also a danger to their farms.

As a postdoctoral researcher focused on bats at the University of Washington, Tanshi identified human-induced wildfires as a major threat to the short-tailed roundleaf bats. Her team has since worked to prevent serious wildfires in the 24,700-acre sanctuary, launching educational campaigns within the local communities about the ecological role of bats.

Despite cultural fears surrounding bats, Tanshi and her team engage communities through innovative media to educate, particularly focusing on children. They showcase how bats contribute to ecosystems, such as through seed dispersal, highlighting the practical benefits of their existence, including in producing shea butter.

Tanshi expressed that receiving the Goldman Prize is not only a personal honor but a global acknowledgment of their crucial conservation efforts. There are very few things in this world that signal to you that the work that you're doing has global relevance than things like this, she stated.

In an inspiring milestone, Tanshi is amongst the six female recipients of the 2026 Goldman Environmental Prize, making history as the first year all winners are women.