Featured image courtesy: memoirs.blog
Every forest has its legends, and in India, they roar. From deep within the mangroves of the Sundarbans to the riverbanks of Corbett and the lakes of Ranthambore, tigers have ruled not just territories but hearts.
A century ago, there were over 40,000 wild tigers in the country. Then came decades of poaching, shrinking forests, and disappearing prey. By 1973, only 268 tigers remained, on the verge of vanishing into memory. But India fought back.
Through one of the world’s most ambitious wildlife efforts, ‘Project Tiger’ and a growing public passion for big cats, that number has slowly climbed back to 3,682 as of the latest census in 2022.
But numbers are just one part of the story. Tigers aren’t just statistics in a graph—they are mothers, fighters, wanderers, and rulers. This International Tiger Day, we celebrate their legacy — not just of survival, but of wild, untamed spirit — in iconic photos.
1. Machli: Ranthambore’s queen
Machli was born in 1997 in Ranthambore and reigned for 19 long years. Famous for killing a 14-foot crocodile in a dramatic face-off, she raised 11 cubs across five litters, becoming the grandmother of Ranthambore’s tiger line.
Her presence alone generated an estimated Rs 60 crore annually in tourism revenue. In 2016, at the age of 19, Machli passed away, leaving behind not just cubs but a conservation legacy.
2. Collarwali: Pench’s supermom
Dubbed “Collarwali” for her radio collar, this Pench tigress became a national icon after being featured in the BBC documentary Tiger: Spy in the Jungle. She gave birth to 29 cubs, the highest known for any wild tigress in India
She died in January 2022, leaving behind not just a large family but a blueprint for tiger recovery in the wild.
3. Bamera: Bandhavgarh’s king
Son of the famed tigress Chakradhara, Bamera was massive in size but known for his calm demeanour. Unlike aggressive alpha males, Bamera patrolled peacefully and fathered at least 15 cubs.
His presence kept the balance in Bandhavgarh, and he became a symbol of composed masculinity in the tiger world. He died of natural causes in May 2016, after a long and majestic life.
4. Paarwali: Corbett’s pride
Paarwali has quickly become one of the most photographed tigresses in Jim Corbett National Park. Known for her habit of climbing trees, which is unusual for tigers, and her sightings on the banks of the Ramganga River
Her grace, poise, and calm command of the landscape have made her a rising favourite among wildlife enthusiasts. She is also known as Pedwali (one who resides on the tree branches) and often photographed with her cubs in Dhikala region.
5. Raja: India’s oldest Royal Bengal Tiger in captivity
Raja was rescued in 2008 after a crocodile attack in the Sundarbans’ Malta River. His leg was amputated, but he survived and lived in a rehabilitation centre in West Bengal for over 15 years.
After reaching the rare age of 25, he passed away in July 2022, becoming a symbol of hope, healing, and survival in captivity.
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