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

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.

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.