Ranthambore Mourns the Loss of an Iconic Tigress
The wildlife community is mourning the loss of Arrowhead (T-84), one of Ranthambore National Park's most beloved and iconic tigresses, who died this week at the age of 14. Her passing has been brought into sharp focus by a poignant video of her "last walk," captured by a wildlife photographer, which has resonated deeply with all who followed her life.
Nature photographer Sachin Rai, who had tracked Arrowhead since she was a cub, shared the heartbreaking footage filmed on June 17. The video shows the once-powerful tigress struggling to take even a few feeble steps before collapsing, her body weakened by illness. "It was heartbreaking to see her struggle," Rai wrote in an emotional tribute. "Each movement was a visible effort... I knew in my heart that the end was near."
Arrowhead was a direct descendant of Ranthambore's royal bloodline. She was the daughter of the famous tigress Krishna (T-19) and the granddaughter of the legendary Machhli (T-16), often called the 'Queen of Ranthambore'. Arrowhead inherited her grandmother's territory and spirit, becoming a dominant force in the park. Forest officials confirmed that she had been suffering from advanced bone cancer and was under observation in her final weeks.
Her death, which came just hours after her own daughter was relocated to another reserve, marks the end of a significant chapter in Ranthambore's history. For the officials, photographers, and wildlife enthusiasts who knew her story, the passing of Arrowhead is not just the loss of a tigress, but the loss of a legacy.
