Latest news with #Ranthambore
Asharq Al-Awsat
4 days ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Arrowhead…Remembering India's Iconic Crocodile-Hunting Tigress
Indian wildlife photographer Sachin Rai still remembers tigress 'Arrowhead' pouncing on a crocodile and tearing away its leathery flesh with her teeth. Rai had been photographing the iconic tigress in western Rajasthan state's Ranthambore National Park since she was a cub, according to BBC. Last week, Arrowhead, also known as T-84, died at the age of 11 near a stretch of lakes in the scenic park, the very territory she had gloriously ruled over in her prime. Her death, caused by an illness, was mourned by hundreds of wildlife enthusiasts, photographers and tour guides who had flocked to the park to get a glimpse of her. Arrowhead's legendary status comes partly from her lineage; she is the daughter of Krishna and granddaughter of Machli - majestic tigresses who, once upon a time, dominated vast home ranges in Ranthambore with ferocity. They were also skilled crocodile-killers, known to incapacitate the massive creatures by crushing their skulls in their powerful jaws. Rai said that Arrowhead - named such by another wildlife photographer after the distinct arrow-shaped stripes on her cheek - took to killing crocodiles after her health began failing her. 'But even though she was weak and frail, the crocodiles were no match for her,' Rai said. Her kills earned her the nickname 'crocodile-hunter' by her fans, he added. In fact, she killed a crocodile just days before her death. Though graceful and fierce, Arrowhead had a difficult life, Rai said. Arrowhead gave birth to four litters in her lifetime, but not all of her children survived. She grew weak after developing a tumor and park officials would have to bring her food when she couldn't hunt for days. However, this was stopped after some of her cubs attacked and killed people.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Arrowhead: Remembering India's iconic crocodile-hunting tigress
Indian wildlife photographer Sachin Rai still remembers tigress "Arrowhead" pouncing on a crocodile and tearing away its leathery flesh with her Rai had been photographing the iconic tigress in western Rajasthan state's Ranthambore national park since she was a week, Arrowhead, also known as T-84, died at the age of 11 near a stretch of lakes in the scenic park, the very territory she had gloriously ruled over in her death, caused by an illness, was mourned by hundreds of wildlife enthusiasts, photographers and tour guides who had flocked to the park to get a glimpse of legendary status comes partly from her lineage; she is the daughter of Krishna and granddaughter of Machli - majestic tigresses who, once upon a time, dominated vast home ranges in Ranthambore with ferocity. They were also skilled crocodile-killers, known to incapacitate the massive creatures by crushing their skulls in their powerful jaws. Mr Rai says that Arrowhead - named such by another wildlife photographer after the distinct arrow-shaped stripes on her cheek - took to killing crocodiles after her health began failing her."But even though she was weak and frail, the crocodiles were no match for her," Mr Rai kills earned her the nickname "crocodile-hunter" by her fans, he adds. In fact, she killed a crocodile just days before her graceful and fierce, Arrowhead had a difficult life, Mr Rai says. She was chased out of her territory by her own daughter, Riddhi, and had to mate multiple times in order to find a place she could call home. (A male tiger shares his territory with his mate, offering her a space to bring up their cubs.) Arrowhead gave birth to four litters in her lifetime, but not all of her children grew weak after developing a tumour and park official's would have to bring her food when she couldn't hunt for days. However, this was stopped after some of her cubs attacked and killed Rai, who was around when Arrowhead was nearing her end, says that it was heart-breaking to see a powerful, majestic creature become so weak and powerless."I saw her struggling to walk. Every step seemed like an effort and she kept falling down," he Arrowhead ventured into her daughter Riddhi's territory - which was once her own - in her last days. "Riddhi didn't put up a fight. She just gave her mother space to lie down and rest," Mr Rai says, tearing up. Follow BBC News India on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Ecostani: Arrowhead, a tigress who lit up the forests of Ranthambore
Rarely does the death of a tiger or tigress mourned in India where animals are perceived to be enemies because of rising man-animal conflict cases. Arrowhead, the legendary Ranthambore tigress died on June 19 at an age of 11-years after suffering from bone cancer. (Instagram/sachin_rai_photography) That was not the case with Arrowhead, the legendary Ranthambore tigress, who died on June 19 at an age of 11-years. She died after suffering from bone cancer and died hours after her cub, Kankati, was translocated to the Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve. Her death was widely covered in the media. Born in February 2014 to Krishna, daughter of the iconic tigress, Machli, Arrowhead (T-84) gave four litters through the years. Her two siblings, Lightning and Pacman, were also popular in Ranthambore but it was Arrowhead, who inherited the fame of her grandmother Machli, the most photographed tigress in the world. She got her name because of the arrow-like mark on her forehead, her sharp attack on the prey and calmness in her walk. The mark on her forehead helped tourists to identify her easily. Her last litter, born in January 2025, became a reason for her emotional distress, experts said. Arrowhead with her three cubs was sighted for the first time on July 25, 2023 in zone 2 of Ranthambore. She appeared ill, and her illness hampered her hunting capabilities. Forest rangers and guards feared that she and her cubs could starve. Ranthambore forest officials then decided to feed her meat nearly every day, bringing her close to the human population in Ranthambore's zone 2. The goodwill gesture did not help her cubs though, who also fed on the meat provided by the forest department, and then started looking for easy prey. Normally, a tigress trains her cubs to hunt before releasing them in the wild. Arrowhead was not able to perform this duty, which caused her distress. As the cubs got habituated to easy prey, Kankati allegedly killed a seven-year-old boy near the temple within the tiger reserve on April 17, and clamour grew to kill them. On May 11, she was accused of killing a forest ranger in the same area. Forest officials claimed that their preliminary investigation indicated that Kankati may have killed the two. However, there was no conclusive evidence. A desperate forest department decided to relocate her cubs to safer locations and Arrowhead to a new location away from humans. Arrowhead's male cub was shifted to Karauli's Kaila Devi Sanctuary on June 16. The female cub was shifted to Bundi's Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve on June 17. On June 19, 2025, Kankati was sent to Mukundra Tiger Hills, which currently has 3 tigers. With her cubs not with her anymore, Arrowhead died in zone 2 and hours later her body was found in the shade of a tree. Three days before her death, Arrowhead killed a crocodile resting in Padam Talab (pond) in zone 2. She pounced on the prey and killed it instantly, showing her once fierce demeanour, which made her the most popular tigress in Ranthambore, like Machli. That was her last kill, according to the forest department officials. A video of her last walk recorded by wildlife photographer Sachin Rai showed a bony Arrowhead walking slowly and grinding in pain towards the crocodile. Arrowhead, like her grandmother, was known for killing crocodiles and was often spotted near water bodies, a reason for her being one of the most clicked tigresses in Ranthambore in recent times. Arrowhead dominated the territory in zone two, three and four, where once her mother and grandmother reigned and contributed significantly in turning Ranthambore into one of the most densely populated tiger reserves in the country. Ranthambore now has about 80 tigers with a healthy male and female mix and Arrowhead is responsible for about 50 of them that live in the family tree of Machli in Ranthambore. Known for her tenacity and courage, Arrowhead's death signifies the end of a magnificent era in the famed Ranthambore landscape, from where the Vindhya rises close to the Aravalli mountain range. More than that, her life and that of her grandmother Machli tells us that tourism and conservation can continue simultaneously, provided the former does not hamper the latter. A popular tigress like Arrowhead can ensure that thousands of people associated with tourism in Ranthambore continue to earn a livelihood, apart from maintaining the region's ecological balance. The contribution of the wild towards humanity's well-being is rarely appreciated. On the other hand, animals like Arrowhead are blamed when they try to protect their own space from human encroachments. Arrowhead's death should be a reminder of the importance of conserving wildlife habitats, which are being destroyed in the name of development.
India Today
21-06-2025
- General
- India Today
Ranthambore tigress Arrowhead dies at 11, here's a look at her family tree
Ranthambore National Park mourns the death of one of its most famous tigers, Arrowhead (T-84). Known for her beauty, bravery, and strong lineage, she died at 11 years old, after fighting bone cancer and a brain tumour. Arrowhead was more than a tigress: she was the essence of wild Ranthambore, and the proud granddaughter of Machli, the 'Queen of Ranthambore.'Arrowhead's death signals the end of an era of magnificence in Ranthambore's landscape, but her legacy will remain through her cubs and the innumerable lives she National Park is grieving the death of one of its most recognisable wild residents - Tigress Arrowhead (T-84). At 11 years of age, she passed away after dealing with bone cancer and a brain tumour. Known for her looks, tenacity, and royal heritage, Arrowhead was much more than a tiger - she was an exemplar of strength, beauty, and survival of the wild. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sachin Rai (@sachin_rai_photography)A LEGACY FROM ROYAL TIES Arrowhead was born in 2014 to Tigress Krishna (T-19) and was the granddaughter of the great Machli (T-16), known as the "Queen of Ranthambore." Machli is one of the most photographed tigers worldwide. She played a significant role in increasing wildlife tourism and the benefits of conservation awareness for tigers in India. Arrowhead was raised by her mother and grandmother, retaining not only her territory but also a courageous BY HER NAMEadvertisementArrowhead earned her nickname and fame from the identifiable arrow-shaped marking on her forehead. The arrow symbol was unique to her, which made her easier to identify. She lived in Zones 2, 3, and 4 of Ranthambore and was one of the most visible and photographed tigresses in the park. Her presence brought joy to countless wildlife photographers and visitors. Ranthambore tigress Arrowhead dies at 11, here's a look at her family tree (representative image, source Ranthambore website) Arrowhead was a powerful tigress and a gracious mother. She produced four litters during her lifetime, which helped expand the tiger population in Ranthambore. She is responsible for over 50 tigers that now exist in the family tree of Machli. Her daughter, Kankati (RBT 2507) was recently moved to Mukundra Tiger Reserve, where she will now carry on her mother's legacy in a different FAMILY TREE OF ARROWHEADHere's a look at the extended royal lineage of Arrowhead:1. MACHLI (T-16) – GRANDMOTHERKnown as the 'Queen of Ranthambore'Had multiple littersMother of three known daughters: Sundari (T-17), Krishna (T-19), and another less-documented female2. KRISHNA (T-19) – MOTHERDaughter of Machli:Gave birth toArrowhead (T-84)Lightning (T-83)Pacman (T-85)3. ARROWHEAD (T-84) – DAUGHTER OF KRISHNAGave birth to at least four littersOne of her cubs, Kankati (RBT 2507), now lives in Mukundra Tiger Reserve.4. ARROWHEAD'S SIBLINGSLightning (T-83): A Known tigress still in RanthamborePacman (T-85): Also sighted in the park Ranthambore tigress Arrowhead dies at 11, here's a look at her family tree (representative image, source Ranthambore website) To the forest personnel, wildlife photographers, and tourists, Arrowhead was much more than a majestic creature; she was part of the heart and soul of Ranthambore. Her calm self-confidence, maternal protectiveness, and gutsy demeanour inspired the respect and admiration of all those lucky enough to meet her death ends an era, her bloodline lives on. Arrowhead's heritage will inspire generations of new wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists, through her offspring, and through the myriad of stories shared by those who saw her in her natural, democratic ecosystem.
The Independent
20-06-2025
- General
- The Independent
Indian tigress dies after long battle with bone cancer
One of India 's most iconic wild tigers, Arrowhead of Ranthambore, has died after a long battle with illness, shortly after her daughter was relocated following fatal attacks. Arrowhead, also called Lady of the Lake for her crocodile hunting skills, was found dead near Jogi Mahal in the Ranthambore reserve in western India on Thursday. She was around 14 years old. The tigress, officially designated T-84, had reportedly suffered from a bone tumour. She had stopped eating on Monday and appeared extremely thin and weak in her final video. An autopsy confirmed multiple organ failure. Forest officials cremated her body following National Tiger Conservation Authority protocols, with a gathering of wardens, wildlife photographers, and local conservationists present. The tigress, named for the distinct arrow-shaped mark on her cheek, was known for her fierce independence and unusual hunting skills, including eating crocodiles. Just days before her death, she was reportedly seen taking down a crocodile near Padam Talab, in a powerful echo of her grandmother, Machhli, Ranthambore's most famous big cat and original 'crocodile hunter.' Arrowhead's final moments were captured by Sachin Rai, a wildlife photographer who had tracked her since she was a cub. 'It was heartbreaking to see her struggle, attempting to rise and take a few feeble steps before collapsing again,' he wrote in a post accompanying video footage. 'Eventually, she reached a tree and lay beneath it. In that quiet moment, I knew in my heart that the end was near.' Arrowhead was the daughter of tigress Krishna and had inherited a prime territory in the reserve around Padam Talab. She raised ten cubs from four litters, and six of them survive her. She had several confrontations with male tigers over the years and even her own daughter, Riddhi, who eventually displaced her. Arrowhead's death came just hours after another of her daughters, Kankati, was tranquilised and relocated to the Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve. Kankati had recently been involved in fatal attacks on a forest ranger and a 7-year-old child. 'It is a disheartening coincidence that she passed away on the same day when her daughter was being shifted,' field director Anoop K R said, according to the Hindustan Times. Arrowhead's death sparked an outpouring of tributes. Ranthambore's Instagram account posted: 'She was a symbol of grace, strength and motherly spirit.' Mr Rai echoed the sentiment, calling her 'a true tigress in every sense'. 'Arrowhead was a symbol of wild grace, of power tempered by patience, of survival against all odds,' he said. For many in India's wildlife conservation community, Arrowhead's death marks the end of an era – another link to Machhli lost. Her legacy, though, is being carried forward by the next generation of big cats.
