‘Most photographed’ tigress Machali dies

Tigers in Ranthambhore National Park have no peculiar name. They are known by numbers or by shape of their distinct stripes, but Machali the world’s oldest and most photographed tigress, who died on Thursday after a prolonged illness, was an exception. Queen of Ranthambhore, Lady of the Lakes, and Crocodile killer are just some of the names attributed to her, but Machali got stuck to her because of a piscine marking on her face.

Machali had turned 20 in May, a rare thing because on an average, tigers in the wild are said to live for 10-15 years. But, her health had been on a decline for last few years particularly after she lost most of her teeth and the use of one eye, making it difficult for her to hunt. In fact, two years ago, it was feared that Ranthambore’s tiger queen had died of old age or had been poached after she went missing on January 9. But, the big cat was spotted by forest officials after a massive search operation lasting 26 days although they found her much weaker than before.

On Thursday, her death was confirmed by Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje in a tweet: “Sad to know of Ranthambore’s iconic tigress Machali passing away. Machali gave visitors stories to remember. Her bloodline reigns supreme in valleys & glades of the park.”

According to forest officials, she had been refusing food and water for some time. She was under observation at Ama Ghati, in the fringe area of the reserve. Machali who became everyone’s favourite for her “tourist friendly” nature, was also a fierce fighter. Subject of numerous films and documentaries. Many of her glorious moments were caught on camera and that earned her international fame.

She once challenged a 14-ft long crocodile, and won. In the daredevil act caught on camera, the tigress pounced on the crocodile, twisted it and killed it by biting into the back of its neck, earning her the name of “crocodile killer”. Another was in 2009, when a young male tiger wanted a sambar deer that she had killed. Machali, then a 13-year-old matriarch, had to submit to the tiger, but not without a fight, which also was caught on still camera.