A Queen Falls-Ranthambore’s Iconic tigress passes away

New Delhi: Tigress T-84, famously known as Arrowhead for her crocodile hunting skills and distinctive arrow-shaped mark, has died in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve.

The 11-year-old tigress, who carried forward the legacy of her iconic grandmother Machhli, was battling bone tumour for several months. She was named ‘Arrowhead’ due to the distinctive arrow-shaped mark on her left cheek

Arrowhead (T-84), the tigress successfully hunting a Mugger crocodile at Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve. She is the granddaughter of the legendary tigress Machli (T-16).

A senior forest official said, “The body of T-84 was cremated at Rajbagh in the tiger reserve. Many people, including wildlife photographers who documented her journey, nature guides and other well-wishers, gathered to pay their final respects.

Arrowhead was first sighted in March 2014, after being born to Krishna (T-19) and Star Male (T-28), descendants of the legendary tigress Machhli (T-16), who had earned the nickname ‘Crocodile Killer’ for similar daring hunts.

Wildlife photographer Sachin Rai saw her just two evenings before she passed. She was by the banks of Padam Talab, struggling to move. “It was heartbreaking to see her struggle, attempting to rise and take a few feeble steps before collapsing again. Each movement was a visible effort; even walking ten steps seemed an enormous task.

Among the many in the park, T-84 had a towering presence, her territory, a legendary story, and now, a legacy.