By Abdullahi Lukman
The National Geographic Society has named Nigerian conservation ecologist Iroro Tanshi and Mexican marine biologist Mauricio Hoyos Padilla as recipients of the 2026 National Geographic/Buffett Awards for Leadership in Conservation.
The awards, announced on May 27, recognise individuals in Africa and Latin America for outstanding contributions to wildlife protection, habitat restoration and environmental conservation.
Established in partnership with the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, the awards honour conservation leaders who promote biodiversity protection, mentor emerging environmentalists and inspire sustainable practices in their communities.
Tanshi was recognised for her efforts to protect threatened bat species and small mammals across West Africa, while Hoyos Padilla was honoured for his decades-long work in shark research and marine conservation across the eastern Pacific Ocean.
The National Geographic Society said both scientists had combined groundbreaking research with community-based solutions to address threats facing endangered species and ecosystems.
The Society’s Chief Science and Innovation Officer, Ian Miller, described the awardees as courageous leaders whose work continues to strengthen conservation efforts in some of the world’s most biodiverse regions.
Tanshi, co-founder of the Small Mammal Conservation Organisation (SMACON), is widely known for rediscovering the short-tailed roundleaf bat after it had not been seen for 45 years.
She also established Nigeria’s first national bat database to support research and conservation planning.
Through SMACON, Tanshi has led several initiatives focused on habitat protection, wildfire prevention and community engagement to preserve endangered bat populations threatened by habitat destruction and climate-related challenges.
Her Zero Wildfire Campaign works with local farming communities to prevent dry-season fires in critical wildlife habitats, while her recently launched Tropical Fire Alliance seeks to expand similar conservation efforts across tropical countries.
Reacting to the recognition, Tanshi said the award would encourage greater support for species conservation and community-led environmental solutions across West Africa.
She stressed the ecological importance of bats in pollination, pest control and maintaining healthy ecosystems.
Hoyos Padilla, on the other hand, was honoured for more than 30 years of shark research and advocacy in Latin America.
As co-founder of Pelagios Kakunjá and chief scientist at Fins Attached, he has led major shark-tagging expeditions and contributed significantly to research on shark behaviour in Mexican waters.
His work has resulted in more than 100 scientific publications and helped shape marine conservation policies in Mexico, including the establishment of Revillagigedo National Park, the largest marine protected area in North America.
Beyond research, Hoyos Padilla has played a key role in changing public perception of sharks through lectures, documentaries and environmental education campaigns.
The National Geographic Society noted that his dedication to shark conservation was highlighted in 2025 when he survived a life-threatening incident during a scientific dive.
Hoyos Padilla said the award would help raise awareness about the importance of sharks in maintaining marine ecosystems and encourage stronger conservation actions globally.
Both award recipients are expected to receive their honours during the annual National Geographic Explorers Festival hosted in partnership with Rolex.
