The Rise of a Queen
In the spring of 1997, a Bengal tigress named Machali, code-named T-16, was born in Ranthambore National Park, India. Over the next two decades, she became one of the park’s most remarkable residents, earning titles like “The Lady of the Lakes,” “Crocodile Killer,” and “Tigress Queen of Ranthambore.”
Known for her hunting prowess, fierce protection of her cubs, and record-breaking lifespan, Machali became the most photographed tigress in the world.
A Mother’s Legacy in Numbers
Between 1999 and 2006, Machali gave birth to five litters totaling eleven cubs — seven daughters and four sons. Her offspring had a transformative impact on the park’s tiger population, helping it grow from 15 tigers in 2004 to 50 by 2014.
At one point, more than half of Ranthambore’s tigers traced their lineage back to her. In 2008, two of her female cubs were relocated to Sariska Tiger Reserve, successfully boosting the tiger numbers there as well.
A Fierce Hunter and Tourist Icon
Machali gained international attention in 2003 after a dramatic fight with a mugger crocodile, which she killed despite losing two canine teeth in the battle. Her exceptional hunting skills and visibility made her a star attraction, bringing an estimated US$10 million annually to India through tourism.
In recognition of her impact, the Indian government issued a commemorative postal stamp in 2013, and she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Travel Operators for Tigers for her contributions to conservation and tourism.
The Final Years
As Machali aged, she began losing her teeth, strength, and even sight in one eye. Eventually, her daughter Sundari displaced her from her territory. Unable to hunt effectively, she was provided food by park staff, sparking debates among experts about intervention in the lives of wild animals.
In August 2016, Machali fell critically ill, and given her age, medical treatment was deemed too risky. On August 18, 2016, she died at the age of 19, surpassing the typical 12-year lifespan of tigers in the wild. Her cremation followed traditional Hindu rituals and was conducted in a public ceremony attended by park staff and locals.
Machali’s life was documented extensively in wildlife films, including the National Geographic feature “Tiger Queen” and the BBC’s “Queen of Tigers”. Wildlife filmmaker S. Nallamuthu also captured her final years in the documentary “The World’s Most Famous Tiger”, ensuring her extraordinary story continues to be remembered worldwide.
Born in 1997 at Ranthambore, Machali, code T-16, became India’s most famous tigress.
In 2003, she fought and killed a mugger crocodile, losing two canine teeth but gaining worldwide fame.
Her 19-year life ended on 18 August 2016. pic.twitter.com/HBfnJABo7L
— Fascinating True Stories (@FascinatingTrue) August 28, 2025