The short-tailed roundleaf bat, known scientifically as Hipposideros curtus, was found in 2016 by Nigerian biologist Iroro Tanshi during field research in the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary in Cross River state.The discovery came decades after the species had last been recorded in the wild during the 1970s.

Researchers had feared that the bat had become extinct after previously documented habitats in parts of Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea disappeared because of deforestation and other human pressures.Tanshi was conducting doctoral research when her team captured the bat during a night expedition.

The scientists had been setting traps near a known bat roost when they noticed one animal that appeared different from the others.She said the bat’s unusually large ears and distinct features led her to consult identification records, which confirmed that the specimen was the short-tailed roundleaf bat.

The discovery prompted further surveys across cave networks in the Afi sanctuary and nearby Cross River National Park. Using harp traps and mist nets, Tanshi and local assistants identified 15 additional bats from the species.The short-tailed roundleaf bat is a small insect-eating mammal that weighs roughly the same as a teaspoon of salt.

Unlike larger fruit bats, it has small eyes and a highly developed nose structure that helps it navigate through darkness using echolocation.Because the species relies heavily on sound and is sensitive to disturbance, researchers have adapted their methods to avoid harming the animals.

Tanshi said she often uses red light during fieldwork because bright lights and noise can affect the bats.The rediscovery highlighted the importance of the Afi sanctuary, a protected rainforest area that supports several threatened species, including gorillas, drill monkeys and other wildlife.

However, Tanshi said she found that public awareness and conservation efforts were often focused on larger animals, while smaller species such as bats received less attention.She said local communities had strong cultural connections with some large mammals and often understood the need to protect them. Bats, however, continued to face threats despite existing conservation protections.

One of the major challenges has been hunting. In some communities, bats are considered a source of food and are traded as bushmeat.Bats have also historically faced negative perceptions in many societies, with some communities associating them with superstition or disease.

Tanshi described attitudes toward bats as complicated, noting that public concerns around diseases such as Ebola and Covid-19 had further influenced perceptions.In response to the threats facing bats and other small mammals, Tanshi and bat specialist Benneth Obitte established the Small Mammal Conservation Organisation in 2016.

The organisation later launched the Zero Wildfire Campaign, aimed at reducing forest fires that damage habitats and threaten wildlife.The campaign introduced colour-coded warning systems to help farmers manage controlled burning and reduce accidental fires.

Tanshi also created a community-based Forest Guardians group to monitor burning activities and respond quickly when fires spread.According to Tanshi, wildfire incidents in the forest area have declined significantly over several years following these efforts.

Her conservation work around the Afi sanctuary has received international recognition. She was named a National Geographic explorer and received environmental awards for efforts to protect the rainforest ecosystem.

A decade after the discovery of the short-tailed roundleaf bat, Tanshi continues to study the biodiversity of Nigeria’s forests and the species that remain hidden within them.The scientist said the rediscovery demonstrated how little is still known about some ecosystems and how species thought to have vanished can sometimes survive unnoticed.

The survival of the bat colony has also raised questions about how conservation strategies can better include smaller and less visible species, particularly in regions facing habitat loss and pressure from human activity.

For researchers working in the Afi sanctuary, the discovery transformed a species once considered lost into a focus of renewed conservation efforts.

Air quality monitors recorded PM2.5 concentrations exceeding 900 micrograms per cubic meter in parts of Pai, roughly 60 times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended 24-hour exposure limit, according to monitoring data cited this week. Chiang Mai, Thailand’s second-largest city, consistently ranked among the world’s most polluted major cities during the period.

Residents reported acute health effects linked to prolonged exposure. Pon Doikam, a 36-year-old vendor working outdoors in Chiang Mai, said she experienced nasal bleeding and persistent respiratory irritation after spending hours in polluted conditions. “It feels like you’re trapped in the smoke constantly,” she said.

The pollution surge is part of an annual haze season affecting much of Southeast Asia, driven by crop burning and forest fires. However, locals described current conditions as unusually severe. Geographic factors have compounded the situation, with mountainous terrain trapping smoke and hindering firefighting access to remote forest areas.

Field observations confirmed multiple active fires along routes between Chiang Mai and Pai. Volunteer firefighter Maitree Nuanja said local response capacity remains limited, relying heavily on donated supplies. He noted that teams are operating with constrained fuel and equipment support while facing prolonged exposure to hazardous air.

Authorities confirmed the death of a volunteer firefighter earlier this week, citing suspected exhaustion combined with heat exposure and pre-existing health conditions.Public health risks are particularly acute for vulnerable groups. In Chiang Mai, authorities have set up “dust-free rooms” equipped with air filtration systems to protect residents, including elderly populations.

Watwilai Chaiwan, an 82-year-old resident of a care facility, said the pollution has worsened symptoms such as dizziness and migraines and discouraged outdoor activity.Medical professionals warned of broader health implications.

Thanakrit Im-iam, a doctor in Chiang Mai, said fine particulate matter can penetrate deep into the body, carrying toxins and heavy metals. He reported common symptoms including eye irritation, respiratory inflammation and mucus buildup, adding that long-term exposure could have severe consequences.

The haze has also weighed on tourism, a key economic driver in northern Thailand. Local transport operator Chakkrawat Wichitchaisilp reported a noticeable decline in visitors during what is typically a peak travel season. Visibility across Chiang Mai has been significantly reduced, with skyline views obscured by dense smog.

Government officials held discussions this week to address the crisis, while some districts in Chiang Mai declared disaster zones to expedite financial assistance. However, environmental groups said policy responses remain insufficient.

Kanongnij Sribuaiam of the Thailand Clean Air Network urged faster progress on stalled clean air legislation, warning that delays could force the process to restart if deadlines are missed.

The recurring haze crisis underscores ongoing challenges in managing cross-border pollution, agricultural practices and forest fire control across the region.