The bat that weighs the same as a teaspoon of salt – and the biologist who rediscovered it | Nigeria
The short-tailed roundleaf bat, a species previously feared extinct since the 1970s, has been rediscovered in Nigeria’s Afi mountain wildlife sanctuary by biologist Iroro Tanshi. Tanshi, who identified the creature during 2016 field research, leads the only confirmed population of the species, which faces ongoing threats from hunting and habitat loss within the Cross River rainforest.
Rediscovery of a Lost Species
Iroro Tanshi, a postdoctoral fellow at the Washington Research Foundation, first encountered the bat during a PhD field expedition. After capturing the specimen, she used identification guides to confirm it was Hipposideros curtus, a species last documented in the wild over four decades prior.
The rediscovery was not an isolated event. Following the initial find, Tanshi and her team utilized harp traps and mist nets to survey cave networks in the Afi sanctuary and the nearby Cross River national park. Their efforts successfully identified 15 additional individuals, confirming that a small colony remains active.
Conservation Challenges and Cultural Barriers
Despite the sanctuary’s status as a protected area, Tanshi observed that bats were frequently hunted, unlike the primates and large animals that local residents protected. According to Tanshi, cultural perceptions of bats as harbingers of bad omens or witchcraft have hindered conservation efforts.
These challenges are compounded by the use of bats as a food source. In the village of Abia, located 45 miles from the sanctuary, resident Judith Ojong reports that the straw-coloured fruit bat is treated as a standard food item, typically sold in batches of four for 5,000 naira.
Future Outlook for the Afi Sanctuary
To address threats to the bat population, Tanshi co-founded the Small Mammal Conservation Organisation (Smacon) in 2016. The organization’s Zero Wildfire Campaign has since implemented color-coded alert systems and a “Forest Guardians” program to manage agricultural burning.
Tanshi reports that the incidence of wildfires has decreased significantly over the last five years. As the species remains critically endangered, the long-term survival of the colony could depend on the continued efficacy of these community-managed fire protocols and the ongoing suppression of hunting within the sanctuary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How was the short-tailed roundleaf bat rediscovered?
Biologist Iroro Tanshi discovered the bat in 2016 during a field expedition for her PhD research while trapping near a roost in the Afi mountain wildlife sanctuary.
Why were scientists concerned about the species?
The bat was last recorded in the 1970s, and by the 2010s, all previously documented roosts in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea had been destroyed by deforestation and hunting, leading researchers to believe it was extinct.
What is being done to protect the bats?
Tanshi and the Small Mammal Conservation Organisation (Smacon) launched the Zero Wildfire Campaign to prevent habitat destruction from bush fires and established the Forest Guardians, a group that monitors agricultural burning in the area.
How do you think local community involvement influences the success of endangered species conservation?