#machli

[tsalala]

“Tigers have a unique way of drinking water. Due to the sharp bristles on their tongue, they cannot lap up water like how most animals do. Instead, they cup the back of their tongue and flick the water into the air and then close their mouth over. Tigers are known to drink up to 20 gallons of water per day, especially the ones that live in hotter, and drier forests.”

The tigress Machli quenches her thirst Taken in Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, India Photographed by Sandesh Kadur

[kikuism]

Dearest mariam i LOVE you and your blog is so special… can you tell me about how you like your tea or coffee or beverage of choice? 🤍

dearest nandika!! this is such an honor please 🥺🥺 i am sending these sentiments right back at you!! 💘💝💖💗💓💞💕

and my thrilling answer to your question is ... my beverage of choice is just water! and sometimes juice ... i love orange and mango. coffee makes me jittery in a bad way, and the only tea i drink is lemon ginger tea when i’m sick. i do wish i was a tea drinker though because i see so many beautiful mugs and teapots i wish i could buy but don't because i wouldn't use them ... look at this teapot i found at a thrift store the other day!

[tsalala]

The late tigress Machli. To quote the Photo Society: “She played a key role in the regeneration of the tiger population in the park in the early 2000s, and was celebrated with titles such as Queen Mother of Tigers, Tigress Queen of Ranthambore, Lady of the Lakes, and Crocodile Killer. She was considered India’s most famous tigress, and the world’s oldest tigress living in the wild.”

She passed away aged nineteen on August 2016.

Taken in Ranthambhore National Park, India Photographed by Marco Vernaschi

[tsalala]

“This was one of the moments in Machli’s life that separated her from all the other tigers in Ranthambore National Park. She drove her mother and sisters out of her land at such a young age and kept that land for several years. Not only did she not let other large male tigers take it from her, she also did not allow any predator to out-do her.

Her offspring and genes can be found all throughout Ranthambore National Park and she was one of the most successful animals that has ever been documented. Even as she aged and lost her ruler status, lost her ability to successfully hunt for herself, and lost her canines, she still remained the heart of India.”

Taken in Ranthambhore National Park, India Photographed by M.D. Parashar circa 2003 Caption by Shizzy’s Wildcat Rescue

[tsalala]

The tigress Machli has always been a special mother. Not only was she most ferocious and attentive to her offspring while in command of a large territory centered around the highly coveted lakes area of Ranthambhore during the 2000s poaching crisis, but she was just special.

Along with the guide Salim Ali, filmmaker Colin Stafford-Johnson had tracked Machli as she cared for one of her earlier litters and managed to document an inexplicable scene: Machli’s sons, now bigger than her, began suckling from her despite their mother not having had any milk for a year. This was the first time such a thing was ever captured on camera - and the last time this family unit was ever seen together. The boys soon dispersed from their mother and died separately from each other.

Taken in Ranthambore National Park, India Stills from Broken Tail: A Tiger’s Last Journey (2011)

[tsalala]

Machli with missing left canines - lost during a deadly fight with a mugger crocodile.

The crocodile killer Ranthambore National Park, India Image shared by Mail Today

[tsalala]

The wonderful Machli, beautiful in her old age. She lived her whole life free in the wild from 1997 to 2016.

Taken in Ranthambore National Park, India Photograph shared by National Geographic India

[tsalala]

With partial vision due to a cataract in her left eye and all the canines withered, she [was] reduced to just a fringe of demeanor of what she once was. With time her health deteriorated […] park officials grew concerned. At a decisive juncture, it was decided that she should be supplemented with food as she was unable to hunt anymore. This arose questions, the wildlife experts and ecologists protesting against it. It was like manhandling natural fate of wild animals.

Paying no heed to the protests, park officials favored their beloved Machli. Mr. Mohan Singh, a forest guard was appointed to keep track of Machli. Calling Machli for her food was an art which he had developed as a mode of communication. And to everyone’s surprise she would respond to his calls. She spent her last days in Ammaghati area of the park’s periphery, away from all the glitz and glamour of Ranthambore National Park. August of 2016, marked the sunset of Machli’s life.

Machli with a cataract on her left eye Taken in Ranthambore National Park, India Words and image shared by Arindam Parichha