Arrowhead’s Final Roar: The End of an Era in Ranthambore

Image Source: The Indian Express

Ranthambore National Park said a tearful farewell to its most celebrated tigress, Arrowhead (T-84), who passed away due to bone cancer and a brain tumour on June 19, 2025, after a courageous battle. Her cremation, observed by forest officials, wildlife photographers, and local enthusiasts, marked the curtain call for the reserve that she ruled for over a decade.

Key Highlights

Royal Heritage and Early Life:

Born in 2014, Arrowhead was the daughter of Krishna (T-19) and the granddaughter of Machhli (T-16), two of Ranthambore's most renowned tigresses.
She could be recognized immediately by the arrow-marked scar on the cheek and was first spotted in the central regions around Rajbagh and Padam Talab, land that had been held by her ancestors.

A Reigning Monarch:

Her reign earned her the nickname of "Queen of the Lakes" and "Lady of the Lake," celebrated for her fearlessness in hunting crocodiles—a reputation the legend of Machhli had left behind.
Even on her deathbed, she surprised witnesses by her killing of a crocodile, a testament to her unyielding spirit.

Mother and Conservation Icon:

During her 11 years, Arrowhead gave birth to ten cubs in four litters, stabilizing the gene pool and replenishing not just Ranthambore but other reserves with cubs.
Her last litter, July 2023, were the object of concerted conservation efforts when her illness prevented her from teaching them how to hunt, and therefore they were eventually relocated to a secure area.

A Bittersweet Goodbye:

Arrowhead's last days were documented by wildlife photographer Sachin Rai, who captured her slow, struggling walk by Padam Talab—a scene that touched the hearts of wildlife enthusiasts all over India.
She died hours after her daughter Kankati was translocated to Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve, a symbolical passing of the torch.

Legacy Lives On:

Arrowhead was more than a tigress—she was India's tiger conservation triumph icon and a source of inspiration to many photographers, scientists, and nature enthusiasts.
The silence of Ranthambore's forests is now profound, but her heritage and legacy will be cherished for centuries to come. "She was greater than a tigress. She was a forest guardian, a loving mother, and a bold hunter. As the sun dips over Padam Talab and her paw marks disappear into the ground, the image of Arrowhead is forever a part of the heart of Ranthambore and of the mind of every individual who ever gazed into her eyes."

Source: Hindustan Times, Indian Express, Times of India, BBC, Ranthambhore National Park, NDTV, Financial Express, Moneycontrol.