Machli, Ranthambore National Park's erstwhile queen, who was reported critically ill two days ago, died today.

Here is a heart-breaking video of Machli, breathing her last.

DISTURBING VISUALS. VIEWER'S DISCRETION ADVISED



Day before morning, Anurag Sharma, the man behind Tigerwalah, a professional wildlife travel and destination management company, shared a photo of Machli (T16) with a heartbreaking caption.

The caption read, "The longest surviving tiger in wild and queen of Ranthambore -- Machli -- has been reported sick for last 4 days as she is confined to a small patch on the fringe of park. Forest department team including veterinary doctor are monitoring her condition but at this age of 19 years medical intervention could be risky. She has lived a glorious life so should be the way forward."

Here's the photo Tigerwalah shared:

Photo Courtesy: Forest Department Photo Courtesy: Forest Department



Machli is arguably the most loved tigress of Ranthambore. She is 19 years old and is probably the oldest surviving tiger in Ranthambore and in the world. Tigerwalah's blog states that Machli inherited her name from her mother, Machli I and more than half of the tigers in Ranthambore and Sariska are her descendants. Machli was camera friendly and is certainly the most photographed tigress of Ranthambore.

Photo: Harsh Nagpal Photo: Harsh Nagpal

Anurag gives more details on Machli on his website, says, she as born during the 1997 monsoons and that she was a dominant cub in litter of 3 females.

"In less than two years, she started hunting on her own & even took over a part of her mother's territory. Her first mating was with Bamboo Ram, a huge male around April 2000 & gave birth to first litter of two male cubs named Broken Tale & Slant Ear. In April 2002 she again gave birth to a litter of three cubs but only two survived, named Jhumru & Jhumri. Her third litter was born around March 2005 named as Bunty & Babli. Despite losing two of her canines in summer of 2005, she not successfully reared this litter but to everyone's surprise gave birth to another litter of three females (her fourth) in monsoon of 2006.

Photo: Vijay Raghavan Photo: Vijay Raghavan

History repeated itself when her own daughter from last litter T17 drove her out of her territory. Machli II has two prominent marks on her face - mark just above the eye & 'fish gills' or 'fork' like mark on her left cheek.

Photo: Zuzar Tinwalla Photo: Zuzar Tinwalla

Those who have met Machli responded to Anurag's post and had heartwarming messages for Machli.

When we spoke to Anurag for more updates, he said that Machli has localised her movement to a small stretch, and that she's lost her canines fighting and feasting on alligators and due to old age. At this age, medical supervision is risky because the doze of tranquliser required is tough to estimate and any miscalculation can lead to worsening her condition or even result in death.



Those who have seen and known Machli, and have interacted with her, says she lived a glorious life.

We hope she rocks it up there too!