Ranthambore's Tigress Arrowhead Dies Of Brain Tumour; Here's A Look At Her Legendary Life

The Passing Of A LegendArrowhead, the iconic tigress of Ranthambore (T-84), died on 19 June 2025 near Jogi Mahal. She was 11 years old and had been diagnosed with a brain tumour.Photographer Captures Arrowhead’s Final WalkMoments before her death, Arrowhead was filmed walking near Jogi Mahal. The haunting footage, captured by a local wildlife photographer, shows her frail yet dignified final steps in the forest.The Crocodile HunterKnown as the “Lady of the Lake,” Arrowhead was one of the few tigers ever recorded to hunt and kill adult crocodiles in Ranthambore’s lakes, showcasing rare predatory behaviour.Royal LineageArrowhead was the granddaughter of Machhli (T-16), India’s most photographed tigress. Her lineage played a key role in revitalising the tiger population in Ranthambore National Park.A Mother’s LegacyAt the time of her death, Arrowhead had birthed ten cubs during her lifetime. At least six of her cubs are confirmed to be alive and contributing to the park’s gene pool.Cub Relocations BeginJust before her death, three of Arrowhead’s sub-adult cubs were relocated to different tiger reserves due to rising human-wildlife conflict and overcrowding in Ranthambore.Kankati’s Conflict RecordHer daughter Kankati, aged about 2.5 years, was involved in two human fatalities in 2025—one involving a child and another a forest ranger—leading to her relocation decision.Dispersal StrategyKankati was shifted to Mukundra Hills, her sister to Ramgarh Vishdhari, and their brother to Karauli-Dholpur. These moves were designed to manage aggression and reduce conflict.NTCA’s Guidelines EnforcedThe relocations followed National Tiger Conservation Authority approval to maintain a “one plus two” tiger ratio in reserves, aimed at limiting intra-species clashes and habitat pressure.Ranthambore’s Tiger Density ProblemRanthambore hosts around 82 tigers across 1,334 square kilometres. Rising density has led to dispersal into buffer zones and neighbouring areas, increasing conflict incidents.10 Stunning Tiger Photos That Won Top Wildlife AwardsRead More