Tigress T‑84—popularly known as Arrowhead, the “Queen of Ranthambore” and “Lady of the Lake”—died on June 19, 2025, near Jogi Mahal in Ranthambore, Rajasthan. Forest officials confirmed her death was due to a brain tumor, marking the end of a remarkable life steeped in courage and resilience
🌟 Why Arrowhead Captured Hearts
Crocodile Hunter Extraordinaire:
She gained fame for her rare and fearless habit of hunting crocodiles—an extraordinary display of bravery that earned her legendary status timesofindia.indiatimes.com+1economictimes.indiatimes.com+1.
Royal Lineage:
As a descendant of the iconic tigress Machali, Arrowhead carried forward a majestic legacy known for dominating lakes and slaying crocodiles reddit.com+5reddit.com+5reddit.com+5.
Survival Through Adversity:
Despite chronic illness and age-related decline, she gave birth to four litters, successfully raising cubs like Riddhi and Siddhi thanks to persistent care and veterinary intervention timesofindia.indiatimes.com+11indianexpress.com+11reddit.com+11.
🩺 A Life Fought and the Tumultuous End
In her later years, Arrowhead suffered from a debilitating tumor and hip deformity. The Ranthambore Forest Department intervened twice—once in February 2024 and again in March 2025—administering antibiotics, surgery, fluid and oxygen therapy, plus live baits to sustain her weakened state economictimes.indiatimes.com+6indianexpress.com+6indiatoday.in+6.
Her death came just hours after her cubs were relocated—an emotionally heavy moment that marked the end of an era for the park indianexpress.com+9hindustantimes.com+9timesofindia.indiatimes.com+9.
🌱 Legacy & Conservation Impact
Arrowhead’s journey sparkled in many ways—raising awareness about tiger conservation, with her iconic exploits drawing global attention and fostering a deeper connection to Ranthambore’s spirit. Her passing highlights the emotional complexities of wildlife intervention—balancing animal welfare with natural instincts.
Park authorities will now concentrate on monitoring her now-conflict-prone cubs, relocating them to reserves such as Karauli-Dholpur, Ramgarh Vishdhari, and Mukundra Hills to mitigate human-wildlife conflict
ranthamborenationalpark.in+11reddit.com+11economictimes.indiatimes.com+11bhaskarenglish.in+3hindustantimes.com+3timesofindia.indiatimes.com+3.
🌍 What Arrowhead Leaves Behind
| Legacy Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| 🍼 Cub Lineage | Her successful offspring include high-profile tigers such as Riddhi (T‑124), who have continued her lineage and their prominence in the reserve timesofindia.indiatimes.com+5indiatoday.in+5timesofindia.indiatimes.com+5. |
| 🦁 Conservation Icon | Arrowhead embodied the essence of wild India—capturing public imagination and drawing international attention to tiger preservation. |
| 🚨 Management Lessons | Her life underscored the need for ethical wildlife intervention, careful use of live bait, and sustainable human-wildlife coexistence measures . |
🎯 Looking Ahead: Ranthambore Without Arrowhead
With her absence, Ranthambore enters a new era. Authorities are recalibrating strategies to manage her cubs humanely, ensuring both wildlife safety and local public welfare. As tourists and conservationists alike mourn the loss, attention shifts to preserving her lineage and safeguarding future generations.
✅ FAQs
Q1: Who was Tigress Arrowhead (T-84)?
A: Arrowhead, also known as T‑84, was a famous tigress in Ranthambore National Park, known for her bravery and unique behavior of hunting crocodiles. She was the daughter of legendary tigress Machali.
Q2: What caused Arrowhead’s death?
A: Arrowhead died from a brain tumor and age-related complications at the age of 11 on June 19, 2025.
Q3: Why was Arrowhead called the “Queen of Ranthambore”?
A: Arrowhead earned the title “Queen of Ranthambore” due to her dominance around the park’s lakes, fearless nature, and her royal lineage from Machali.
Q4: What happens to Arrowhead’s cubs now?
A: Her cubs have been relocated to safer habitats like Karauli-Dholpur and other reserves to prevent human-wildlife conflict.
Q5: How did Arrowhead impact wildlife conservation in India?
A: Arrowhead helped raise awareness about tiger conservation in India and brought global attention to the efforts of Ranthambore’s wildlife protection programs.
published on 21st june
Publisher : SMITA
www.vizzve.com || www.vizzveservices.com
Follow us on social media: Facebook || Linkedin || Instagram
🛡 Powered by Vizzve Financial
RBI-Registered Loan Partner | 10 Lakh+ Customers | ₹600 Cr+ Disbursed