New Delhi: Every summer, tourists rush to Ranthambore National Park hoping to spot its famous wildlife, especially tigers. As the heat rises, animals move towards water bodies, making sightings more likely. But this year, even with the crowds, Ranthambore feels quieter. The reason: Tigress T-84, also known as Arrowhead, died on June 19 after battling bone cancer for a long time.
Arrowhead was not just another tiger in the forest. She had a strong presence, a story of survival, and now, a lasting legacy. Wildlife photographer Sachin Rai, who had followed her since she was a cub, saw her two days before her death, according to a report by The Indian Express. She was by the Padam Talab, struggling to walk. “It was heartbreaking to see her struggle, attempting to rise and take a few feeble steps before collapsing again… In that quiet moment, I knew in my heart that the end was near, just a matter of a day or two,” he wrote in an Instagram post with a video of a weak and slow-moving Arrowhead.
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‘Pride of the forest’
Rai had documented her life over the years, from a playful cub to a fierce mother. Arrowhead faced many challenges: she lost some litters, dealt with aggressive males and was later displaced by her own daughter, Riddhi. Yet she did not give up. Even last year, though unwell, she raised another litter.
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The (unverified) official Instagram page of Ranthambore National Park posted a tribute, calling her “the pride of our forest.” It also said that just hours before she died, her daughter was moved to the Mukundra reserve—an emotional coincidence.
Tributes to the jungle queen
Surya Sadasivan, a policy professional and regular at the park, said, “I still remember the first time I saw Arrowhead… She embodied the spirit of a true wild tigress – fierce, graceful and resilient till the very end.” She added, “Even in her fragile final days, she gave us one last glimpse of her strength… the original queen of the jungle.”
Arrowhead was from a legendary bloodline—daughter of Krishna and granddaughter of Machli—but had a unique identity. Tributes have been pouring in: “Rest well, Queen,” and “Heartbroken.”
Arrowhead’s memory will live on, not just in the jungle, but in the hearts of those who watched her journey.
