Ranthambore’s beloved tigress Arrowhead dies hours after daughter’s relocation

The forest department confirmed her death in an emotional Instagram post, stating she had been battling advanced bone cancer.

Ranthambore National Park’s celebrated tigress, Arrowhead (T-84), passed away at the age of 14 on Thursday, just hours after her daughter was relocated to another reserve, marking a poignant moment for wildlife conservationists.

The forest department confirmed her death in an emotional Instagram post, stating she had been battling advanced bone cancer. “With a heavy heart, we share the heartbreaking news from Ranthambore. Tigress Arrowhead (T-84), the pride of our forest, daughter of Krishna and granddaughter of legendary Machli, has passed away,” the post read.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ranthambore National Park (@ranthambhorepark)

Arrowhead, part of Ranthambore’s famed tiger lineage, was the granddaughter of Machli (T-16), known as the ‘Crocodile Killer’. In a fitting final act, Arrowhead herself took down a crocodile near Padam Talab just two days before her death, echoing her grandmother’s legendary prowess. Eyewitnesses described the ambush as a fierce one-minute struggle before the crocodile succumbed to her powerful bite, as per NDTV report.

Meanwhile, her daughter, Kankati (T-2507), was tranquilised and relocated to Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve on the same day. Officials from Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR) confirmed the move was prompted by Kankati’s involvement in two fatal attacks - a forest ranger’s death on 11 May and a 7-year-old boy’s killing on 16 April.

“Arrowhead was found dead in Zone 2 of RTR only on Thursday morning, hours after her daughter Kankati was set off to Mukundra,” an officer was quoted by HT. RTR field director Anoop KR added, “It is a disheartening coincidence that she passed away on the same day her daughter was shifted.”

Born in 2014 to tigress Krishna (T-19), Arrowhead leaves behind a legacy of four litters over 11 years. Kankati, from her fourth litter, will be kept in a soft enclosure in Mukundra before being released. The reserve already houses three other tigers - MT-5, MT-6 and MT-7.

The forest department’s tribute to Arrowhead captured the sentiment of many: “She was a symbol of grace, strength, and motherly spirit. Her legacy will live on through her cubs and in the hearts of all wildlife lovers.”