Ranthambore Mourns the Loss of Tigress Arrowhead, A Symbol of Strength and Survival
Mumbai: The dense forests of Ranthambore National Park have fallen a little quieter. Tigress T-84, fondly known as Arrowhead, one of the park’s most iconic and closely followed big cats, passed away on June 19 after a prolonged battle with bone cancer. She was nearly 14 years old.
Arrowhead’s death marks the end of a significant chapter in Ranthambore’s wild history. More than just a tigress, she was a part of a celebrated bloodline — the daughter of Tigress Krishna and granddaughter of the legendary Machli, often referred to as the “Queen of Ranthambore.”
Her final days were marked by signs of visible decline. Wildlife photographer Sachin Rai, who has documented her life since she was a cub, recalled seeing her near Padam Talab just two days before her death. “She tried to get up, took a few steps, then collapsed near a tree,” he wrote on Instagram, sharing a poignant video of Arrowhead in her frail final moments. “I knew it was close to the end.”
A Life of Fierce Determination
Arrowhead’s story was one of quiet strength and unwavering resilience. She endured early setbacks, lost litters, and fierce territorial battles. In a rare twist of fate, she was displaced from her territory by her own daughter, Riddhi. Despite this, she held her ground in nearby ranges and, remarkably, raised another litter just last year — a final testament to her enduring spirit.
In an emotional tribute, the (unverified) official Instagram page of Ranthambore National Park posted a photo of her lifeless form and wrote, “She was the pride of our forest.” In a bittersweet coincidence, the park noted that her daughter Riddhi was relocated to the Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve just hours before Arrowhead’s passing.
A Legacy Beyond the Forest
Arrowhead was admired not only by tourists and wildlife enthusiasts but also by generations of photographers who documented her journey. Two years ago, acclaimed wildlife photographer Jayanth Sharma captured her mid-hunt, chasing a softshell turtle — an image that encapsulated both her raw wildness and fluid grace.
Tributes have since poured in across social media, with many remembering Arrowhead not just as a tiger but as a character in the ever-unfolding narrative of Ranthambore. Her life resonated with many for its mix of beauty, struggle, and endurance.
An Era Ends
Arrowhead may not have had the limelight as consistently as some of her ancestors, but to those who encountered her, she was unforgettable. Her death is not just the loss of a big cat — it is the loss of a forest icon, a mother, a fighter, and a true embodiment of wilderness.
In her own quiet, powerful way, Arrowhead carved her place in Ranthambore’s legend. As her story ends, the forest remembers — and so do the people who loved her from afar.
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