Hemanta Kafley, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Email: kafley@tarleton.edu
Phone: (254)-968-1740
Office: Autry 204D
Research Interests
- Spatial Ecology
- Occupancy Modeling
- Carnivore Ecology
- Wildlife Conservation & Management
- Protected Area Management
- Human Dimensions of Wildlife Conservation
Education
Undergraduate Education
B.S. in Forestry
Graduate Education
M.S. in International Wildlife Conservation
Ph.D. in Wildlife Ecology
Professional Biography
Dr. Hemanta Kafley is an Associate Professor in the Department of Wildlife and Natural Resources at Tarleton State University, where he leads interdisciplinary research in spatial ecology, carnivore conservation, and biodiversity management. His work integrates ecological modeling, remote sensing, and field-based wildlife research to address pressing conservation challenges across Asia, Africa, and North America. Dr. Kafley’s research portfolio includes studies on tiger and leopard habitat use in Nepal, multi-species occupancy modeling, and predictive mapping of rare plant species in collaboration with state agencies. He has also contributed to understanding the ecological roles of sacred groves in Bhutan and the dynamics of wildfires in human-dominated landscapes.
Dr. Kafley has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications on topics such as intraguild interactions among large carnivores, prey abundance estimation, and the socioeconomic drivers of wildfire occurrence. His field projects span a variety of ecosystems—from the Himalayas to the African savannah—and often involve partnerships with conservation organizations and government agencies. He has mentored graduate and undergraduate students on research ranging from Komodo dragon conservation to snow leopard spatial ecology, and regularly presents his findings at international conferences. His work exemplifies a commitment to applied conservation science and capacity building in wildlife ecology.