Ranthambore's Last Safari Season: Tiger Tales & Tragedies

The Season's Narrative: A Flourishing Start, a Fateful End

The recently concluded safari season in Ranthambore, before its poignant closing chapters, was indeed a period of immense joy and incredible sightings for visitors and "shutterbugs" alike. As anticipated from the end of the previous season, the spotlight shone brightly on two prominent tiger families: Arrowhead (T-84) and her three cubs —two females and one male — and her daughter Riddhi's (T-124) family, also comprising three cubs. Both matriarchs, along with their playful offspring, consistently kept the sighting charts buzzing, offering unforgettable encounters with these majestic felines.

There were initial concerns surrounding Arrowhead's ability to adequately care for her growing family, given her reported health issues. However, these cubs impressively attained adulthood. This was largely courtesy of timely interventions from the forest department, which included providing live baits to supplement Arrowhead's hunting, especially as a cancerous tumour began to impact her prowess. This crucial support ensured the survival and healthy growth of her young.

Among Arrowhead's cubs, one female, Kankati (T-125), had truly begun to assert herself, displaying a promising trajectory to carry forward the family's legacy. Her bold and assertive nature was evident in her territorial encounters. Kankati was known to engage in significant skirmishes, notably with her aunt Riddhi and even with Noori (T-105), a tigress from a different lineage. Despite these intense confrontations, Kankati consistently demonstrated a fierce determination, refusing to back down easily and signalling her intent to carve out a dominant territory.

What was particularly fascinating throughout the season, amidst the frequent movements and occasional overlaps into each other's territories, was the remarkable level of tolerance displayed between Arrowhead and Riddhi. Despite being mother and daughter, and both leading their litters closely, they largely managed to avoid direct, serious conflict. This dynamic was a testament to the intricate social structures within Ranthambore's tiger population and provided a unique insight into their complex family relationships, making their frequent sightings all the more captivating for those fortunate enough to witness them.

Beyond the central drama of Arrowhead and Riddhi's families, another prominent matriarch, Noor (T-39), and her lineage ensured their presence was strongly felt on the sighting charts throughout the season. Noor, currently holding the distinction of being one of the oldest tigers in the park's tourism zones, continued to grace visitors with her regal presence. Patrolling her well-established territory primarily in Zones 6 and 1, she reliably obliged eager photographers and wildlife enthusiasts with regular sightings, a testament to her enduring health and dominance.

However, Noor's daughter, Noorie (T-105), remained considerably more elusive this season. Following the separation of her previous litter last season, Noorie has maintained a notably low profile. Her sightings were less frequent, leading to a significant portion of Zone 2 appearing uncharacteristically empty. This reduced visibility, while perhaps frustrating for some visitors, is a natural phase for tigresses as they recover from raising cubs and prepare for their next breeding cycle. Towards the end of the season, however, there was a significant and hopeful development: Noorie was sighted mating with T-123. This observation has raised strong hopes that she is perhaps ready for her next litter, potentially bringing new life back into the quieter corners of Zone 2.

In contrast to Noorie's reclusiveness, Noor's other daughter, Sultana (T-107), was a frequent and captivating sight this season. Sultana continued to command attention within her territory, and towards the very end of the period, she offered truly heartwarming glimpses of new life. On multiple occasions, she was sighted carrying tiny cubs in her mouth along the main fort road, confirming the arrival of her latest litter.

However, Sultana's older cubs from her previous litter are still navigating the challenging phase of finding and establishing their territories. They were observed lingering around their mother, a behaviour that Sultana, with her new responsibilities, is unlikely to tolerate for much longer.

Putting an end to speculations that had been swirling for the last two years, Shakti (T-111), another magnificent descendant from the legendary Machli's clan, was finally sighted with two new cubs in May. This wonderful news further increased the count of new residents. Shakti, known for her strong lineage (being a daughter of T-19 Krishna), has continued to thrive, proving her mettle as a successful mother. Further enhancing the prospects for the coming season, Shakti's daughter, T2307, who has now successfully settled into a part of her mother's territory, is also showing promising signs. According to unconfirmed reports, she might be ready to raise her own family soon. If these reports materialise, it would make Zone 4 an even more promising and active zone for tiger sightings in the next season.