Arrowhead (T-84), the iconic Ranthambore tigress, was cremated today. The regal animal passed away on June 19 at the age of 11.
Tributes Pour In for Ranthambore’s Most Photographed Tigress
“Carried bloodline of Ranthambhore,” wrote Indian Forest Service officer and a popular internet personality, Parveen Kaswan, as he posted the last picture of the most photographed tigress on his official X handle.
“She raised cubs that helped repopulate parts of Ranthambhore and other tiger reserves. Strengthened gene pools and rewrote conservation,” he added.
Arrowhead Passes Away as Daughter Begins New Journey
Arrowhead had been battling bone tumor when she died due to the illness on Thursday. It was on the same day that her daughter Kankati (T-2507) was translocated to Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve, Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR) officials said.
Born along with three other cubs in 2014 to T-19 Krishna, Arrowhead was ill for long. An autopsy report of hers had earlier established that a number of her body organs were damaged. “It is a disheartening coincidence that she died on the same day when her daughter is being shifted to Mukundra,” Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR) field director Anoop KR stated.
Legacy of Litters and Lifelong Dominance in Ranthambore
As per Field Director Anup K R, the tigress was born in Feb 2014. She was primarily located in Zones 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the national park, her main domains being Nal Ghati and Rajbagh Lake.
Arrowhead had four litters and had 10 cubs. Six of them survived. She had given birth for the last time in 2023.
Arrowhead was seen with two cubs, her initial litter, on February 22, 2018. She produced her second litter on January 2, 2019 and her third litter on July 23, 2021. Kankati (T-2507) belonged to her fourth and final litter.
Remembering Arrowhead: The Crocodile Hunter’s Heir
Arrowhead hit the headlines recently with a video of her hunting a crocodile becoming viral. People on social media remembered Machhli, Arrowhead’s grandmother and one of the most photographed tigresses who was commonly known as the “Queen of Ranthambore” and “Crocodile Hunter.”
Forest officials and wildlife lovers remembered Arrowhead with solemn tributes before it was cremated.
“Arrowhead carried forward the legacy of Machhli, both in spirit and strength,” Shakir Ali, a senior guide in the tiger reserve, said.
