Nigerian biologist, Iroro Tanshi who discovered bat species in Nigeria that was last seen 45 years ago is among the three winners of Future For Nature (FFN) Award 2020. Tanshi, beat 120 others to win the prestigious award.
The award ceremony is scheduled for Friday, May 8th 2020. Tanshi alongside María Fernanda Puerto-Carrillo from Venezuela and Tjalle Boorsma from the Netherlands/Bolivia will receive this prestigious nature conservation prize during the Future For Nature Award Event at Royal Burgers’ Zoo. In the past this internationally renowned prize was presented by icons such as Sir David Attenborough and Dr. Jane Goodall.
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The 35-year-old biologist is a dedicated bat specialist. Amongst other achievements, she rediscovered a population of the Short-tailed Roundleaf bat in Nigeria. The last one was seen 45 years ago. Now, she is on a mission to protect the last known stable cave roost. That roost is under threat of fruit bat hunting and wildfires in Nigeria. Her ‘Zero Wildfire Campaign’, which engages local people to protect critical habitats for this bat species is yielding results to help bring back this species from the brink of extinction. In 2019 zero wildfires were reported in the dry season.
“Her passion and perseverance is now rewarded with the internationally recognised Future For Nature Award,” said Onnika van Oosterbosch, Coordinator Future For Nature in a press release.
