Advertisement

Thomas Kunz: Brown Bats Face Extinction

08:57
Download Audio
Resume
(Jesse Costa/WBUR)
Professor Thomas Kunz works at BU and his office is festooned with bat paraphenlia. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

The little brown bat will vanish from the northeastern United States within 16 years, according to research by Boston University professor Thomas Kunz and his graduate students.

Bats of all kinds are dying in astounding numbers from a fungal disease called white nose syndrome. Bats are crucial to cave ecosystems, and for human health as well, because they eat so many bugs.

This week, Kunz unveiled research suggesting that bats save American farmers billions on pesticides. He's hoping that will make the public stand up and take notice of the crisis.

Guest:

  • Thomas Kunz, director, Kunz Bat Labratory, Boston University

This segment aired on April 15, 2011.

Advertisement

More from Radio Boston

Listen Live
Close