Nobody grows up dreaming about bats. In fact, many people fear bats and see them as dangerous creatures. However, Nigerian conservationist Dr. Iroro Tanshi took a keen interest in them, and she leaned in with curiosity, compassion, and courage. Today, that courage has earned her the “Green Nobel Prize.” But her story did not begin with awards.
Dr. Tanshi started as a young Nigerian woman passionate about nature and wildlife. She studied Environmental Science at the University of Benin, she went on to study at the University of Leeds in England, earning a master’s in Biodiversity Conservation, before completing her PhD at Texas Tech University in the United States in 2021.
While many scientists focused on larger and more popular animals, she became deeply interested in bats, animals many people misunderstood or ignored. Her journey took a major turn in 2016 while surveying more than 30 caves within Cross River National Park and the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary.
She discovered a small roost of short-tailed roundleaf bats, a species whose presence in Nigeria had not been confirmed in 45 years. These weren’t just any bats. They were endangered, hadn’t been documented anywhere globally for five years, and had large ears, round button noses, and lived on fruit, pollen, nectar, and insects. That discovery could have been the end of the story. Instead, it became the beginning of an even bigger mission.
Shortly after the rediscovery, a devastating wildfire swept through the forest, threatening the bats and their habitat. Rather than giving up, Dr. Tanshi decided to fight for the survival of both the animals and the forest. She worked closely with local communities, teaching safer farming and fire management practices while building community fire brigades to help prevent wildfires.
Her organization, the Small Mammal Conservation Organization (SMACON), became a powerful force for conservation in Nigeria. Through teamwork, education, and persistence, her initiative helped prevent major wildfires in the sanctuary for several years and protected one of Nigeria’s most important rainforest habitats.
Dr. Tanshi’s achievements continue to grow. Over the years, she has received several international recognitions, including the Future for Nature Award in 2020, the Whitley Award in 2021, and now the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize in 2026.
What makes her story inspiring is not just the awards, but the heart behind the work. She chose to protect creatures many people were afraid of. Her story reminds us that real change often begins when one person decides to care deeply about something others overlook.
Your passion can open doors no matter how unusual your interest may seem. If you give it your best shot, you just might be leading a global movement!
SOURCES
Nigeria’s Iroro Tanshi wins Goldman Environmental Prize for trying to save bats
