Thomas Kunz was an American biologist recognized globally for his research on bats. Sometimes called “Bat Man,” he was a professor at Boston University for four decades, where he became a leading figure in mammalogy and ecology. His work shaped the scientific understanding of bat biology and behavior. Kunz’s contributions also included authoring and editing foundational books on bat ecology.
Academic Journey and Focus
Thomas Kunz’s academic path began with a Bachelor of Arts in biology and a Master of Arts in education from the University of Central Missouri. He earned another master’s degree in biology from Drake University in 1968 and completed his Ph.D. in systematics and ecology at the University of Kansas in 1971. That same year, he joined the faculty at Boston University, where he would spend his entire career until his retirement.
At Boston University, his laboratory’s work centered on the ecology, behavior, and conservation of bats. His research interests were broad, encompassing roosting behavior, population dynamics, and the evolution of life-history traits in both temperate and tropical bat species. He was particularly interested in the ecological roles bats play within their ecosystems. This work produced over 240 scientific papers.
Groundbreaking Bat Research
Kunz helped establish the field of aeroecology, a discipline that integrates ecology with atmospheric science, geography, and computational biology to study organisms in the aerosphere. He used advanced technologies to observe life in the lower atmosphere. His teams applied tools like thermal infrared imaging and weather surveillance radar to monitor vast colonies of bats and understand their nightly movements and foraging patterns.
Thermal imaging, for instance, enabled researchers to accurately census huge bat colonies and study their flight energetics without intrusive methods. Kunz’s work with radar helped quantify the immense ecological services provided by bats, such as pest suppression, by revealing the sheer number of insects consumed during their flights.
His research became significant with the emergence of white-nose syndrome (WNS), a devastating fungal disease that has decimated bat populations across North America. Kunz was among the first to recognize the severity of the threat and helped mobilize the scientific community. He organized early meetings of researchers and wildlife managers to coordinate a response to the epidemic and direct research toward understanding the pathogen.
Influence on Conservation and Education
Kunz had a significant impact on conservation and education, as a dedicated mentor to many graduate and undergraduate students. Many of his former students have gone on to become prominent biologists and conservationists. The North American Society for Bat Research named an award in his honor to recognize scientists who demonstrate excellence in research and mentorship.
He was a tireless advocate for bat conservation, working to dispel public misconceptions about these animals. His research provided the scientific foundation for conservation policies and management strategies. He also helped establish the Tiputini Biodiversity Station in Ecuador, a site dedicated to rainforest ecology research. Through his work and public outreach, he elevated the global understanding of the importance of bats.
Personal Life and Legacy
Thomas Kunz was a husband and father, and his passion for biology was sparked by a fifth-grade teacher. His career was cut short in 2011 after he sustained serious injuries in a car accident, which forced his retirement from academic duties.
In April 2020, Kunz passed away at the age of 81 from complications related to COVID-19. He is remembered as an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a past president of the American Society of Mammalogists. His legacy endures through the ongoing work of the students he trained, the research fields he helped establish, and the conservation initiatives he inspired.