Machli, named T-16 in Ranthambore National park, is the most photographed tigress of the world. The regal feline in most popular tigress in India and is the pride of Ranthambore National Park. The imperative territories of Machli are the fascinating forts, palaces and lakes of this ecstatic national park. Interestingly, Machli is also famed as ‘lady of the lake’ as it can be easily found in the aquatic region of the woodland. Tiger lovers and nature admirers along with the worldwide media have always paid an incredible attention to this tigress. Various reasons have paved the way to her fame among which her dominant, brawny and imposing appearance is the most considerable one.

machali
  • Machli- The life journey of regal tigress

Machli was first seen during the monsoon of 1997. Her splendid appearance and flexible movements instantly mesmerized people. She gave birth to a female and two male cubs by mating with ‘Bamboo Ram’, who was a large male tiger in the woods. The name of the two male cubs was ‘slant ear’ and ‘broken tail’ while the female cub was named ‘Sundari’ (T-17). She mated with another tiger named ‘Nick Ear’. This new male tiger was with the tigress as Bamboo Ram died of old age. In 2002, Machli gave birth to two more cubs named Jhumri (female) and Jhumru (male). Machli again gave birth to two cubes named Bahadur (male) and Sharmeele (female) in 2005, after mating with another male tiger named X-male.

  • The reason of her popularity

The majestic and muscular appearance has always been the noticeable factors of Machli. Her strength saved her cubs from the male tigers and other animals of the jungle. Her strength is so awesome that even the male tigers get intimidate by her. Her splendid presence fascinates wildlife lovers to such a great extent that taking her pictures is the preferred task of every tourist in Ranthambore. As this tigress usually roams around the lake area, she has many remarkable encounters with the crocodiles and the legends of these fights are highly popular among the wildlife buffs.

  • The legendary fight against a 14-feet long crocodile

It is a legend that took place in the late 20th century. An explorer of woods came across a stunning fight between a 14-foot long crocodile and the queen of Ranthambore ‘Machli’. The most dominant power around the lakes of Ranthambore, Machli, was meandering around the lake when the crocodile attacked her. With the help of her flexible movements and extreme vigor, she dragged the mammoth crocodile to death. The legendary combat, in which the regal feline emerged victorious, became extremely popular among the wildlife lovers.. In addition, such an encounter was recorded or filmed for first time ever.

  • Award for her contribution to Rajasthan

Ranthambore’s iconic tigress Machli, along with B-2 of Bandhavgarh, was awarded with lifetime achievement award by Travel Operators for Tigers (TOFT) on 24 April 2009 in Delhi. TOFT is a significant group of travel operators and accommodation providers and Destination management companies aiming towards encouraging responsible wildlife tourism in the country. According to estimate, tigress Machli has contributed around 10 million US dollars per year to the local economy of India’s most popular national park– Ranthambore!

  • Forest officials trying to immortalize ‘Her Highness’

The forest officials of Ranthambore are trying to immortalize the world’s most famous wild tigress ‘Machli’. The tigress is not in the best of her health, as she has grown old. A stamp has been issued in her name. The Forest Department is afraid of losing this regal feline and has thus taken the initiative to keep her memory alive even after her physical demise. The department is in quest of approval from National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to allow retrieving Machli’s skin after her death so that it can be kept before the world in order to spread her glorious history. The movement of this giant feline has been put under surveillance by the forest guard round the clock, so that the skin can be retrieved before the maggots eat her flesh and destroy the skin.

Machali is 18 years old, which is 4 years more than the average age of tigers. The heroism and jaw-dropping look of this giant tigress will always remain etched in the memory of wildlife lovers throughout the world. She has always been one of the most enticing features of Ranthambore National Park and her name will be imprinted with golden alphabets in the history of this protected area, which is no less than a paradise for the tiger lovers throughout the blue planet! We know that the government is trying its best to conserve and commemorate the legends of Machli even after her death; it’s our responsibility too to convey our views on it. You can share your thoughts and views over here to let us know what you think of immortalizing this regal tigress.