Machali, the most photographed big cat at the Ranthambore National Park. Photo: twitter.comMachali, the famous tigress of the Ranthambore National Park, died Thursday after suffering from prolonged ailments. She had not eaten anything for the last five days, according to media reports.
She had been refusing food and water for some time. She was under observation at Ama Ghati, in the fringe area of the reserve, and surrounded by a bevy of her admirers and forest officials when she died.
Her body has been taken to the Ama Ghati check post for the post mortem, after which it will be cremated. The cremation is to avoid the body parts from being harvested, Field Director of Ranthambore, Y.K Sahu told IANS.
The 19-year-old was one of the famous tigresses in India and was known as the pride of Ranthambore National Park. The T-16 royal tigress is the most clicked tigresses of the park. She is also referred to as the 'lady of the lake' as she can be found near the water in the park.
The fish marking on the left part of her face has got her the name Machali.
People took to Twitter to mourn her death.
