Yadvendradev V. Jhala obtained his Ph.D. from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia USA in 1991, in Wildlife Science and a Post Doc from the Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC. He joined the Wildlife Institute of India in 1993 as faculty and retired as Senior Professor and Dean in February 2023. Jhala studied prey-predator interactions between wolves and blackbuck for his doctoral degree. Subsequently, Jhala conducted long-term ecological and behavioral studies using modern technology of radio and satellite telemetry on wolves, lions, striped hyenas, snow leopards, and tigers. He designed and supervised the estimation and monitoring of tigers, leopards, and other wildlife populations across country scales for India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Jhala’s quantitative data with scientific rigor generated through peer-reviewed publications brought transparency and assisted in formulating modern wildlife conservation policy in India. The official estimate of 3500 tigers in India and 300 in Bangladesh was realistically estimated at around 1400, and 120 through scientific surveys led by Jhala, and these figures released by the countries' Prime Ministers were used as subsequent baselines. The National Survey of 2018 led by Jhala was awarded the Guinness World record as the largest wildlife survey. Jhala’s research (over 125 peer-reviewed papers) has been instrumental in i) banning veterinary diclofenac that caused the decline in vultures; ii) identifying and addressing causes of Great Indian Bustard declines and commencing their conservation breeding; iii) understanding the social organization and coexistence of Asiatic lions with humans; iv) status, demography, ranging patterns, and conservation genetics of tigers; v) ecology,  status, and ancient lineage of Indian wolves; vi) Jhala has led the project and provided the science required for the reintroduction of cheetahs to India. Jhala has trained conservationists (>1600) from India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Thailand, China, Nepal, Austria, and the USA. Jhala’s work is an example of blending basic and applied science in the area of conservation biology and using it to formulate policy and to manage and conserve India's endangered species.