Arrowhead, the queen of Ranthambore, dies: A look at her royal tiger lineage

Ranthambore National Park has lost one of its fiercest queens. Arrowhead (T-84), the tigress who recently went viral for taking down a crocodile in a dramatic ambush, died on Thursday near Jogi Mahal due to a brain tumour, forest officials confirmed. The 11-year-old predator, known for her raw strength and striking resemblance to her legendary grandmother Machhli, was cremated with full honours by forest staff and wildlife enthusiasts.

Arrowhead wasn’t just a tigress—she was a symbol of the wild heart of Ranthambore. Born in February 2014, she reigned over zones 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the reserve, with Nal Ghati and Rajbagh Lake being her preferred territories. According to Field Director Anup K R in an interview to PTI, she contributed immensely to the park’s tiger population, becoming a mother four times and raising 10 cubs, six of whom are still alive. Her last litter was born in 2023.

The tigress, known for her stealth and power, shot back into the limelight after a viral clip showed her in a rare and ferocious attack on a crocodile near a lake. Eyewitnesses told NDTV that she had been lying silently near the water’s edge before leaping into action. The one-minute battle was intense, but Arrowhead’s powerful bite proved fatal for the crocodile, whom she then dragged away from the water.

Arrowhead’s lineage
This act of bravery reminded many of her bloodline. Arrowhead was the granddaughter of Machhli, the iconic tigress known as the "Crocodile Killer" and the "Queen of Ranthambore", revered globally for her majestic presence and similar daring hunts.

“Arrowhead carried forward the legacy of Machhli, both in spirit and strength,” said Shakir Ali, a senior guide at the tiger reserve, while speaking to PTI.

Just days before her passing, Arrowhead’s daughter Kankati was relocated by the forest department following reports that she had killed two people, adding another layer of intensity to the family’s story.

Wildlife lovers and members of the Ranthambore Nature Guide Association gathered to pay floral tributes to Arrowhead on Thursday. For those who tracked her life—from her first sightings to her final hunt—the tigress leaves behind not only a legacy of awe but a deep void in the heart of India’s wilderness.