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Hundreds of wildlife enthusiasts, photographers and park guides grieved her death from illness. Arrowhead gained fame for not only her strength but also her royal lineage. She was the daughter of Krishna and the granddaughter was Machli — two infamous Ranthambore She-Monsters known for their croc-fighting abilities and for commanding large territories.
Even in Her Final Days, a Hunter
Arrowhead also got the nickname "crocodile-hunter" from her supporters when she started killing crocodiles — even in her old age and dwindling health. The distinctive face stripe in the form of an arrow that she had got her the nickname "Arrowhead" from a wildlife photographer. Even as a massive tumour was ravaging her health, she continued to conquer crocodiles in a testament to the resilience and fortitude only found in spirit. She had, in a surprising turn, made a kill a few days before her death.
Even in weakened condition…Arrowhead's spirit never flagged. Rai remembered seeing her struggle to walk in her final days, tumbling repeatedly but refusing to lie down. When she was feeling too weak to hunt, park staff would bring her food. It was abandoned, however, after some of her cubs mauled and killed people.
Lives of Struggle, Lives of Strength
Arrowhead, however, had its tough moments. She was forced out of her territory by her daughter Riddhi and had to breed multiple times to secure new territory — essential for a tigress as male tigers provide shared territory to raise cubs. While she birthed a total of four litters, not all of her cubs survived.
There was one tender moment at the very end of Arrowhead's life when she returned to her old territory, now in the control of Riddhi. Her daughter let her rest there, with no fight, even — a small, private courtesy between mother and daughter that even hardened old wildlife watchers like Mr. Rai found moving.
"She simply made room for her mother to lay and rest," he said, breaking down the last act of a life steeped in power, adversity and grace.
