Photographer captures final moments of Ranthambore Tigress arrowhead’s last walk

Tigress Arrowhead’s Final Walk Leaves Forest in Mourning (Image: sachin_rai_photography and gliding.frog/X)

In the quiet corners of Ranthambore, the jungle feels emptier. Arrowhead, the tigress who once ruled her grasslands, took her final steps this week. Her passing has stirred deep emotion among wildlife lovers and forest watchers alike.

Arrowhead, officially known as T-84, died at 14. Her death came just hours after her daughter was moved to another reserve. The timing made the loss more painful for those who knew her well. Among them was wildlife photographer Sachin Rai, who had followed her since her earliest days.

A Tigress’s Last Walk Caught on Camera
Rai captured Arrowhead’s final walk on June 17. The footage was taken near Padam Talab, a place she once roamed with ease. In a quiet, heartbreaking video shared online, Rai described the moment. He watched as she struggled to rise, walked a few steps, then collapsed again.

“She moved slowly, ten steps at most,” Rai wrote. “Each breath and movement seemed heavy with effort.” Arrowhead then lay under a tree, barely moving. Rai knew in his heart that her time was nearly over.

His tribute reflected more than just her last day. Rai remembered watching her grow from a cub into a fierce and graceful tigress. “Every part of her journey showed strength and spirit,” he added.

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A post shared by Sachin Rai (@sachin_rai_photography)

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Legacy of Ranthambore’s Royal Line
Arrowhead was more than a big cat in the wild. She was part of Ranthambore’s royal family of tigers. The daughter of Krishna (T-19) and granddaughter of Machhli (T-16), she was often called the ‘Queen of Ranthambore’. Her lineage carried the legacy of one of India’s most iconic tigresses.

Forest officials confirmed that Arrowhead had bone cancer. She was under close observation in her final weeks. Despite the care, her health declined quickly. Her body gave up slowly, but her spirit remained visible to those who had seen her reign.

Her passing has left the forest with a strange silence. For regular safari-goers, forest staff, and photographers like Rai, Arrowhead was more than just a tigress—she was a symbol of wild beauty and strength. Now, the jungle waits for its next queen, as the memory of Arrowhead lingers in its winds.