The bat that weighs the same as a teaspoon of salt – and the biologist who rediscovered it
Nigerian biologist Iroro Tanshi has successfully rediscovered the short-tailed roundleaf bat, a species previously feared extinct since the 1970s. Tanshi is now leading efforts to protect the bat's only known roosting colony in the Afi mountain wildlife sanctuary.
Why it matters
This discovery highlights the importance of biodiversity conservation in the Cross River rainforest and demonstrates the critical role of local scientists in protecting endangered species.
Iroro Tanshi holds up a short-tailed roundleaf bat at Odukpani, in Cross River state, Nigeria. For decades, the species was believed to exist only in forest caves in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, and scientists feared that it had died out. Photograph: Etinosa Yvonne View image in fullscreen Iroro Tanshi holds up a short-tailed roundleaf bat at Odukpani, in Cross River state, Nigeria. For decades, the species was believed to exist only in forest caves in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, and scientists feared that it had died out. Photograph: Etinosa Yvonne Nature heroes Nigeria The bat that weighs the same as a teaspoon of salt – and the biologist who rediscovered it The short-tailed roundleaf bat was feared extinct until scientist Iroro Tanshi found one in Afi sanctuary in Nigeria, and set out to protect the only confirmed roosting colony
The article is a factual, human-interest report on environmental conservation with no political agenda.
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