Dollar - The Guardian Angel from Ranthambore

Ranthambore National Park

The laws of nature are yet unintelligible to humans. Mother nature has time and again proven us wrong with her alluring script of life. Some tales of the nature redefine our perception of the wilderness and it's savage life forms. Tigers, the majestic beasts... ferocious and untamed souls that rule the jungles have always been considered devoid of emotions. They are thought to be guided by their wild instincts solemnly. But this story of an incredible Tiger and his family will overturn our knowledge of them. Ironically this is the anecdote of a ruthless yet merciful guardian angel of Ranthambore... "Dollar" aka "Zaalim".

Origin of the Legend

January of 2006 was cold and dry in Ranthambore as every winter. The forest had been silent for quite some time now. Territorial battles had not taken place for months and the Lahpur area was dominated by Jhumroo (T20), the son of legendary tigress Machali. He had been around for a long time with the beautiful tigress Gaytri/ Lahpur-Nagdi female (T22). A few months back, they were sighted mating. And hopes of new life blossoming was high. One fine morning, T22 was found strolling around the Lahpur area with a tiny cub trailing behind her. The forest officials and wildlife enthusiast were enthralled by the arrival of the new cub. Initial few months the tigress and the cub remained away from the anxious eyes of their admirers. It made the task for forest officials a little difficult for the identification of the cub. Initially he was thought to be a female cub as sightings were very rare. Even when he got separated from his mother, still very little information of him could be gathered. It was the persistent efforts by the forest officials that finally his identity could be revealed. He was indeed a Male. He would snarl and growl when attempts were made to reach him. On some occasions he also made mock attacks. It was his aggression that earned him his nickname "Zaalim", the ruthless one. The same trait was also exhibited by his siblings Sultanpur male/ Ustad (T24) and Indala (T23).

Dollar sign on right flank

He is also popularly known as "Dollar" for the dollar shaped marking on his right flank. Powerful, fearless and fearsome, Dollar aka Zaalim grew up to become one of the dominant males of Lahpur, sharing his father's territory. From initial days itself, his ruthless aggression made him the center of attraction. He fended his territory with utmost ferocity and chased off tourist vehicles. With time he grew stronger, and established his territory around Semaili area, zone 5 of Ranthambore (even to the present day he roams this area).

Dollar and T5 - Making love

By monsoon of 2009, he also had a lady in his life... T5 - Kachida Female. They spent a lot of time together and even mated frequently. T5 had her first litter from Dollar, in January 2010. It was a beautiful female cub ST8. The love between the two tigers was buzzing and they had their second litter in November 2010. Two females cubs again... Binaek (K1 Ra) and Binado (K2 Ra).

Time seemed good for the tiger family. But destiny had different plans.

Demise of the Matriarch

 During a safari in January 2011, State Tourism, Art and Culture Minister Ms. Bina Kak spotted a beautiful tigress. The tigress seemed restless and clearly was in pain. While taking some pictures she realized that the tigress was wounded and her wound was infected. She informed the Forest department and extended her stay in order to look over the treatment of the tigress. A humble act of compassion by the Minister which earned her appreciation worldwide. The tigress was tranquilized by the forest department, and her wounds were tended to. It was highly infested with maggots. It took the veterinarian a lot of effort to get the wound cleaned. The wound looked gross but none-life threatening. It was not the tigress' health that made the condition serious, it was the fact that currently she was nursing two cubs, three months old. It was tigress number 5, Kachida female.

Ms. Bina Kak's effort to rescue Tigress T5, Kachida female 

Days passed by and the tigress seemed to get well. She would be found near water holes nursing her recovering wound. The forest officials were relieved that she was back to being her former self. But as words go, "Gloom veils under a bloom." Fate revealed itself one night...

Mr. Balendu Singh, the warden of Ranthambore recalls the event, "She was treated for her wounds, which was successful. It was our misfortune that she did not survive for long. She was doing well after 10-15 days of her treatment, but now we feel she became weak and succumbed to her injuries. Fifty meters away from Kachida forest post, her painful growls and cries could be heard the whole night. It was as if she was telling us that she was departing from us."

The lifeless body of Kachida tigress

In the morning of 9th of February 2011, Kachida Tigress was found dead a few meters away from the Kachida post, Ranthambore. Her cubs were also missing. Worried of their safety, forest officials launched a massive search with fifty forest guards assigned. Four days passed with no clue. With every passing day their chances of survival seemed meek. Trap camera were set up around the area in a hope of finding them. After a few days the efforts payed off, the cubs were spotted in bushes near Kachida forest post. Beating all odds they had survived. Actually their mother's demise scared them and they went into hiding in a cave nearby. It was assumed that their mother already knew of her numbered days, and she might have trained them to stay away from danger. As humans we still do not know much about the complex intertwined social and emotional life of tigers. May be they are far more than the savage beasts we know them as.

The Cubs' Fate

Binaek and Binado

The cubs were now found but their fate in the forest was uncertain. Cubs of this age do not survive in the wild. The forest department kept a constant vigil on them and even fed them. Camera traps were installed around the area to monitor their every move. And the images that came through were surprising, they escaped death by a whisker's length many a times. Some times leopards would come very close but they would escape, bears were spotted in the same vicinity on many occasions and once even a Stripped Hyena almost got to them.But miraculously, they stayed alive. It seemed these cubs were meant to be special. They were named Binaek (K1) and Binado (K2), as a display of respect to Minister Ms Bina Kak, who made a valiant effort to save their mother. Binaek was shy and more submissive, while Binado had her own ways. Binado identified by her thick stripes was always on to adventure and dominated her sibling. Still both managed to live peacefully together. 

Trap camera pic. of the Male tiger following one of the cub

 A picture from a camera trap on 14th May, 2011 got the forest officials on their heels. A huge male tiger was seen following one of the cubs. Male tigers are known to kill the cubs in order to be able to mate with resident females and eliminate any future competition. In a mode of panic, officials followed the tiger. To their amazement it was Dollar, their father. What happened next was beyond the wildest imagination. Dollar, the ruthless beast was actually protecting his cubs with maternal instincts. The behavior of Dollar shocked every one. News of this unique episode of the wild spread like jungle fire. Wildlife enthusiast and experts were drawn to Ranthambore to witness this. Overnight, Dollar and his cubs were stars of the wild.

Dollar - the Father-Mom

Dollar and Binaek strolling around

Days passed by, the cubs grew stronger and bigger with their father by their side. He taught them how to hunt. When they were nine months they made their first kill. Binado would lead the hunt and Binaek followed. Dollar would observe them from a distance as they learnt the tricks and trades of a tiger's life. The family would be found cherishing a kill together. Binaek loved to bask in the shadow of her father's domain but Binado was a little rebellious, challenging his authority time and again. No matter how the daughters traded, still the family stayed together. The bond between them strengthening with time. Afternoons of the summer were hot, the family spent a lot of time together cooling down in water holes. They would rub flanks with their father, in tiger language that means a show of affection. When necessary Dollar would also growl at the cubs and let them be in line when they got mischievous. And it was Binado who would always end up on the receiving end.

Dollar growl down at disobedient Binado 

Late one evening while strolling around, the cubs came very close to a waterhole where Tigress T17 (Sundari) was resting. Tigress are not very fond of other cubs in their territory. This made T17 very angry. She crouched low, preparing for an ambush. As she sprinted ahead she was interrupted mid-attack by the emergence of Dollar from the nearby bushes. He shove her away with a sway of his paw. Sundari was startled and had to back down as Dollar stood tall between her and the cubs. T17 lowered herself to the ground, tucked her tail and accepted defeat. Dollar kept vigil till T17 walked away out of view.The event recorded in camera was one of most valuable evidence of maternal instincts of a male tiger. A sight that baffled every tiger expert. But then Dollar was no ordinary tiger. 

Sundari T17 stopped mid-attack by Dollar

Binaek and Binado proliferated under the guidance of their father. They grew up to be two beautiful tigresses who dominated the Kachida territory, which was once their mother's. They lived in harmony till adulthood. Occasionally they were also found straying around some of the park's resorts in the periphery. 

Binaek being radio-collared and relocated to Sariska

After a few months they were spotted with T24- Sultanpur Male aka Ustad. He was the dominant male of the area. It was rumored that the two females had been courting T24. In November 2012, due to higher tiger population in the area, to avoid territorial conflict the Park official decided to relocate Binaek and Binado to Sariska Tiger Reserve. And in January 2013, they were tranquilized and relocated. The family split up with Binaek and Binado starting their life in a new land and Dollar left behind to start afresh. 

It seemed like the end of an epic story of the Indian wilderness. But may be it wasn't...

Dollar and Sundari during courting

Dollar spent some time alone after this, reigning supreme in his territory. His tertiroy was frequently visited by T17 (Sundari) and T19 (Unnis). Both the tigress were sublings of the same litter from the Legendary Machli. Dollar mated with Sundari (T17) late in 2012, who bore him three cubs. They both raised the cubs together for a few months and then suddenly  early in summer 2013, Sundari disappeared without a trace. Her cubs were just few months old and again another set of new life was facing a dilemma for survival. Search for Sundari proved to be futile. She was never seen ever after. 

Following Sundari's disappearance in April 2013, Dollar mothered another set of cubs.
To everyone's astonishment, he betrayed nature once again.

Dollar is still alive and dominant as ever, ruling the Zone 5 of Ranthambore. 

He has engraved his name in history as "The tiger who redefined nature".

T25 Dollar aka Zaalim

Jai ... The Hulk of Umred

UMRED KARHANDLA Wildlife Sanctuary

This legendary story set foot on the Indian wilderness canvas in the winters of 2010-2011, Nagzira National Park. It gained it's "Wildlife Sanctuary" status in 1970, spanning across an area of  120 sq. km. Later merged into a National Park in 2012 as a part of Project Tiger. Rich in fauna this sanctuary resides between the districts of Gondia and Bhandara in Maharastra. This park has not been very much highlighted worldwide for it's tiger conservation. But the story that I am about to tell you changed Nagzira and Umred's history for ever. 

Early Life

Jai and Veeru strolling behind their mother "Mai"

During late 2010, Nagzira was emerging out of the blues with dominant feline characters spreading out their paws and claiming territories. A major part of the park was under the reign of a humongous male tiger "Dhendu". He crushed any opposition and none dared to challenge him at his turf. Besides, he also had the crown jewel of Nagzira by his side, the legendary tigress T2 aka "Mai". Mai, an exemplary tigress who had given the park 11 tigers from different litters. She was an elegant tigress easily identified with an "A" mark on her left hind limb, earning her the nick name "A mark" tigress. Dhendu stayed with her for quite a long time. Early in 2011 she gave birth to two male cubs ... fondly named "Jai" and "Veeru" ( After the legendary duo of the movie Sholay).

Jai relaxing in the water hole as Veeru looks on

The two cubs fathered by Dhendu and nurtured by Mai grew up to become a formidable force. The initial days of the brothers' childhood was quite eventful. They were often seen with their mother, most of the times engaged in playful fights and chasing anything that moved. Mai kept an vigilant eye always as they were the last sons her bore. Most part of the life of these tigers was not documented as these cubs stayed out of limelight for a length of time. With the passage of time the two brothers were now the main attraction. "Jai" with a hulking figure now overpowered his elder brother. Though both stayed together for a long time but it was Jai who held the upper-hand. In his prime "Jai", weighed more than 250 Kgs and was considered the largest tiger of India in 2015.

Jai's Journey

By the time Jai reached his adulthood, the forest of Nagzira and it's territorial balance was taking turns. The cubs from Mai's previous litters had all grown up now. Instincts for territorial fights was now creeping into the resident tigers. And even Jai was not immune to it. Jai was a handsome tiger with a towering physics and muscular frame. He was spending much of his time away from his brother and mother, venturing into neighboring territories. He was an adult male and ready to mate. Hormonal surges made him more obsessed. On evening he came across another tigress "Alpha" of Mai's previous litter following her pheromonal markings. Unfortunately, she was not in an entertaining mood. And Jai was not welcomed. The battle of the sexes violently shattered the peace of Nagzira. The fight did not last long. The two tigers withdrew from the battle giving each other some space. The line was drawn ... Jai had his lesson. Dejected, he left and thus begun an extraordinary journey.

Jai's journey to a new land in search of a mate

August 2013 witnessed a new chapter in Jai's life. This obsessed behemoth in a search for a mate traversed a distance of incredible 130 kms. A journey that is extraordinary for these highly territorial animals. Defying all odds he crossed forests, highways, villages and even a river. He left Nagzira, making his way through New Nagzira moved on to Kisanpur and then Kardi. He spent a few days around and then continued on to Kesalwada, followed by Koka. He crossed NH6 between Bhandara and Sakoli. He swam across Vainganga river, finally reaching Paoni range of Umred Karhandla. During his journey he made everyone wonder where will this lead him to and why is he doing this. But no one could ever know what was brewing in his mind. Whatever it was, it made him famous.

Kingdom Established

Umred, a new world and new challenges. Umred Karhandla was ruled by two dominant resident males when Jai arrived. Their reign was unchallenged ...till now. But with the arrival of a new tiger signs of the territorial fights seemed inevitable. Jai initially kept his distance from the resident males. Every passing day made Jai more and more confident. In a few days his roars echoed in the forest, his claw marks could be spotted on trees and his pugmarks trailed across the roads. No fights followed, no offense or resistance by the resident males. The throne of Umred was handed over to Jai with submissive exit by the previous rulers. Umred was now Jai's to rule.

In the upcoming years Jai had four mates and produced 11 off-springs.  As assumed there might be some more cubs that Jai fathered from unknown wandering females. His first mate was the well known tigress "Chandi". Four cubs from her first litter i.e. 3 males "Bahu", "Bali", "Jaichand" and one female cub "Barkha". "Jaichand" was the first cub and named after his parents "Jai' and "Chandi". "Bahu" and "Bali" being the sons of their powerful father, derived their names from a hit movie "Bahubali".

Chandi with her 3 cubs Jaichand, Bahu and Bali.... PC- Anup Deodhar

Later he mated with T4 "Rai", who bore him three cubs "Pawan", "Raja" and "Mala" (the only female of the litter). Slowly the tiger population in Umred Karhandla was taking a surge under the reign of Jai.

Jai with T4 

In 2014 Jai shared his time with one of the most beautiful tigress of the park T6 "Fairy". They had two handsome cubs "Bittu" and "Srinivas" (T10). Srinivas truly inherited his father's genes. He kept Jai's legend alive when he went on a journey of his own in search of a mate... 300 kms (Though a few weeks later he came back home). Unfortunately, in April of 2017 he ventured into human settlement and was electrocuted by the electric fence farmers put up to protect their crops from wild animals. The farmer  got panicked, removed his tracking collar and buried his carcass nearby. Many tigers have fallen victim to such human activities in recent years besides poaching.

Iconic son of Jai, Srinivas (R- his carcass)

Jai's kingdom was proliferating, buzzing with life by 2015.  The same year he was radio-collared by wildlife expert Bilal Habib and monitored continuously.  But a few months later the link failed.

Where is Jai?

The sighting were at their peak during early summer of 2016. And then suddenly on 19th April, 2016 Jai went missing from his territory of Umred Karhandla near Nagpur. An extensive search was organised by the forest officials, supported by 100 volunteers. Even after weeks of  mega sweeping search across forests of Nagpur, Bhandara, Gondia and Chandrapur, no traces of Jai could be found. The State Forest department also set up a panel of three members ( Chief Conservators), who were assigned the task to trace and locate Jai in the forest of Nagpur, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli. Even Mr. Nana Padole, member of Lok Sabha asked for a CBI investigation into the matter of the missing tiger. All in vain. It was as if Jai had vanished into thin air. 

In December 2016, the news of appearance of a new tiger in Adilabad forest of Telangana was spreading like wildfire. The fact that was more startling was that many who had reported sighting claimed that it resembled the Legendary Jai, who was thought to be missing since April. Hope bloomed in the heart of wildlife officials and Jai's admirers. The Forest Minister of Maharastra Mr. Sudhir Mungantiwar himself had a talk with Mr. Jogu Ramanna (Minister of Forest, Telangana) to confirm the sightings. Within days camera traps were installed in the area for tracking. In Bhandara, near Chninchal village ex-sarpanch had a sighting of Jai a few weeks after his missing reports. Later that year two shepherd boys while strolling in the forest came cross a huge tiger with a radio-collar near Rawanwadi area. Was it possible that Jai had again ventured into unexplored territories in the search of a new domain... a journey of 200 kms. Or was that just another tiger mistaken to be Jai. Was he alive or has unfortune events engulfed him. The world was waiting for answers. And till date they have not yet come.   

The search is on. Hopes fading away but alive.

Waiting for you at a different dimension of time

Jai, a name immortalized twice, first by the iconic character played by Amitabh Bachhan in Sholay and then by this legendary tiger who en-thrilled everyone with his extraordinary journey. We are unknown of his being now but it cannot be denied that wherever he is, his legendary journey will follow. In this life and after. 

Jai ... The Hulk of Umred.

*This article is based on the story of Jai by Imroz Baig and pic and data courtesy Amrut, Amit and Anup Deodhar. 

Machali - Lady of the Lakes

RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK

Legendary people are not born Legends, they achieve it by the events that unfold in their lives. As the cards has it, even some Tigers become Legendary, by the turn of events that their life showers them with. The story I am about to narrate is of one such tiger... infact it's a Tigress who has reached the pinnacle of stardom through her extraordinary animated lifetime in the tiger paradise, Ranthambore.

She is ...

Machali (T16)

Known by many names "Lady of the Lakes", "Queen mother of Tigers", "Tigress queen of Ranthambore", "Crocodile killer", she changed the landscape of tiger conservation in India. She is rightfully considered the "most photographed Tigress in the wild", "the longest lived known wild tiger in the world" and even she is the only tiger in the world to have a postal stamp of her own, issued by government of India in 2013. She was also awarded with "Lifetime Achievement Award" by Travel operators for Tiger due to her contribution to wildlife conservation and tourism enrichment. It is reported that Indian Tourism Department earned about 1 Crore rupees from tourist visiting for Machali only. 

Early Life

Identification marks of Machali

Her legendary journey began in May, 1996 when she was born as a part of litter of three female cubs to her mother "Machali I", who had a fish like marking on her left part of the face. Machali derived her name from her mother, inheriting some characters. She was easily identified by a fish like mark above her left brow and a fork marking on her left lower cheek. 

She was the dominant female of her lot and quickly took to hunt at an early age of eighteen months. Soon after in the summers of 1999 in a classic battle in the ruins of Rajbagh, she took over a part of her mother's territory (Zone 5) around the three lakes near the Raj Bagh ruins and the Ranthambore fort... thus entitled "Lady of the Lakes". She lost her mother due to poaching. At that point of time Ranthambore was facing a tiger crisis with only 15-20 surviving tigers in the park. In the years that followed Machali's four successful  litters supplemented 9 tigers to the park. And by the end of 2014 there were well over 50 tigers in the Ranthanmbore. Her lineage still lives on through her daughters of last litter "Satra/Sundari - T17" and "Unnis/Krishna - T19".

Macahli stalking her prey

Machali's Reign

Machali dominantly ruled as the "Queen of Ranthambore" for about 10 years. One of the longest reigns of any known tigers. In a duration of seven years (1999-2006), she had four successful litters. Matriarch of the Park, Machali bore her first litter in 1999 of two cubs "Slant ear" and "Broken Tail", fathered by the majestic male "Bamboo Ram". 

Machali with cubs "Broken tail" and "Slant ear"

It was a magical time in Machali's life. By 1999 she was already 3 years old, had a territory of  her own and ready to give rise to a new generation of tigers. One evening mating calls of Machali, echoed around the Palace ruins and the valley... low moaning roars. After a brief moment of time, responding calls were heard from distance. And from the towering hillocks emerged a handsome tiger, it was "Bamboo Ram". He came down, meeting Machali on the road near the Malik talao. They both got together very well, rubbing flanks and brushing faces. They mated for hours together with intervals of lazy lying around. Tigers' mating can be a little aggressive. Females take initiative falling to the ground in a submissive posture inviting the male. The mating session can occur for days, upto fifty short bursts of copulation during that time. Few months after the cubs were born "Bamboo Ram" succumbed to diseases and old age.

Courting pair, Machali and Bamboo Ram

His territory was taken over by another strong male "Nick ear". This male is assumed to have fathered the second litter of Machali's cubs, "Jhumri" and "Jhumaroo".

Machali bore a litter of two cubs in March, 2005 from the "Male X", the male cub being brave was named "Bahadur" and the shy female was named "Sharmeele". Later these two cubs were renamed "Bunty" and "Bubbly", entitled over famous characters of a lastest hit hindi movie. Years of glorious days for Machali kept going as she reigned over her Ranthambore kingdom with a golden sceptre. She raised all her cubs successfully but none of them dared to claim her territory. It all changed with her last litter from "Male X"... she gave birth to three beautiful female cubs, "Satra/Sundari - T17", "Athra - T18" and "Unnis/Krishna - T19".

Machali with cubs -  Satra(T17),  Atra(T18) and  Unnis (T19) 

The Crocodile Killer

In the hot afternoon of June 27th, 2003 an incident changed the law of jungle as we know it. Ranthambore witnessed an epic clash of two apex predators of their respective ecosystems. The moment was captured in camera and first ever such documented incident. Crocodiles (Indian Mugger) have co-existed in the lakes of Ranthambore alongside Tigers for ages. but never did these two behemoths cross each others path, tolerating and respecting either's presence. On this specific day it finally happened... battle of the beasts.

Machali battling the Mugger crocodile

Machali has always been known for her bold and protective nature. She defended her territory with the fury of a raging Queen, no tiger in the park ever dared to claim her domain. She fought viciously and cared for her cubs with delicate femininity. That summer had been very dry and long, water pools had almost been reduced to puddles. Conflicts between animals had been on the rise around the water sources.
Sun was taking a detour to the horizon in the west as Macahli patrolled her territory near the lake area. Suddenly she halted, ears strained and eyes fixed on something on the water's edge. It's unclear what made her to take such a decision. Jolting through the bushes she pounced on a 14 feet long crocodile. The next thing that came into view was the mugger desperately trying to get back into the water and Machali fiercely dragging it away with her teeth firmly grasping it's neck. Both the beasts extremely strong battled to take control of one another. Macahli's teeth sinking deeper with every move as the mugger kept twisting and turning, slashing it's tail around.

Scars of the battle - Machali lost two Canines

It all happened in broad daylight and some lucky Safari jeeps were around to witness this extraordinary event. In front of their very eyes, the tigress was taking on a large Croc., A sight that will be imprinted in their memories for a lifetime. The battle raged on for hours and finally Machali emerged victorious, banishing and killing the Crocodile.

This victory had come at a price, she lost two of her canine teeth... the most prized possession of a tiger's arsenal. This event sky rocketed the stardom of Machali. In the up coming years the park was flooded by tourists who came just to have a glance of the "Crocodile killer". Machali immortalized her name in the pages of history.    

Demise of the Reign

By 2008, Machali was starting to feel the toll of old age. She was still reigning the lake territory but with four canines gone and fading physical strength climax of her dominance was inevitable. By the end of the year two of her cubs were relocated to Sariska Tiger reserve in an effort to boost tiger population in other parks as well. The two tigers in subsequent years successfully reproduced to aid tiger conservation. The only left off spring Satra (T17) by the end of 2008 had already grown up to be a formidable tigress. For the first time in a decade someone was up to challenge Machali in her own turf. Satra/ Sundari was well aware of her mother's condition and deep in her heart she had already made up her decision to rule her mother's prized land.

Satra facing Machali in her decisive battle

In a summer afternoon, 2009 Machali was causally lying near the ruins of Rajbagh fort when Satra sneaked up to to her. Machali had no clue of what was coming. Roaring menacingly Satra charged at Machali, pinning her to the ground. Machali had nothing left in her to resist.  In a short but decisive battle Satra dethroned her mother and banished Machali to the outskirts of her kingdom, Lakarda area of the park. The natural order of forest law prevails... Machali was vanquished by her daughter as she had her mother a decade ago.

Machali was forced out of her territory ... Kingdom gone, old age dawning and strength abandoned all Machali could do was bask in her past glory for the days that remained. A magnificent rule had come to an end.

Vanquished Machali taking refuge near a water hole 

Dusk of Machali's Life 

Life was harsh for Machali in the after days. But the warrior in her did not quit, against all odds she lived long to become the oldest tiger to survive in the wild. She kept tricking death time and time again. In a puzzling incident, on 9th January, 2014 the matriarch of Ranthambore went missing from Zone 5. The forest officials, wildlife experts and media, all went buzzing on her disappearance.  All efforts for her search proved futile. She had vanished without a trace, no pug marks, no clue, no roar... nothing at all. Speculations were made of her falling victim to poaching, or may be killed by another tiger or even death of natural causes in any remote location. Miraculously after 25 days of extensive search, patrolling team headed by Forest officer Daulat Singh found Machali lurking around Kachidagarh post. Not only did Machali survive but also had not lost her hunting skills to old age as she was found relishing a kill a few days later. She kept surprising everyone in her odd old days as well. On one occasion, she was seen emerging from a hotel room in Sawai Madhopur. She was trying to rejoice the luxuries of human lifestyle it seems. Exuberant spirit of the tigress reflected in her attitude even at this stage of her life. Alas! even she knew her days were numbered. 

Machali with a Cataract in left eye

With partial vision due to a cataract in her left eye and all the canine withered she had reduced to just a fringe of demeanor of what she once was. With time her health deteriorated, and 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.

Machali's Lifeless body

Paying no heed to the protests, park officials favored their beloved Machali. Mr. Mohan Singh, a forest guard was appointed to keep track of Machali. Calling Machali 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 Machali's life. She had not been eating anymore, just water would go down her throat. Efforts to feed her went in vain. She was restricted to a small pool of water, with no strength left in her to move anymore. Life was slipping away from her, and she just waited calmly for death to embrace her. It was on 18th August, 2016 when she breathed her last.

She moved on to happy hunting grounds in the heavens leaving the mortal world behind.

Machali's final journey

With all the honor her body was carried on shoulders of the forest staff and guards.... eyes that once bedazzled at her sight were moist on that day. An out-pour of emotions converged at Ranthambore on this fateful day. People gathered in hundreds to have a glance of the majestic Tigress one last time.  The park and her fans worldwide bid adieu to their beloved tigress "Machali". She was offered to flames with hindu rituals at the Ammaghati check-post, which was her last abode.

A magnificent journey of a Tigress, who redefined the laws of nature and ruled millions of hearts all over the world had came to an end. But wherever she goes, IMMORTALITY will follow...

In the loving memory of MACHALI (1996-2016)

Post Script

Last few days I have been restless, this story has mesmerized and captivated me. With every part of Machali's life I unfold, I fall in love with her again and again. I never had the privilege to see her, before this article she was just any other tiger for me... but it all changed. Somewhere deep within my soul I feel a part of me is gone with her. It feels like she was one whom I knew closely, different in form and life but still... mine somehow. I felt the pain as she would have on loosing her territory, I was overjoyed when I put down the story of the reappearance after long time, I chuckled on the moment when she visited humans...And I did cry when I informed you of how one day she left us. Tigers are not just tigers for me anymore...They are family. I may not have seen them but yes a fragment of them runs in me now. This story has brought meaning to my life... and till my last breath I vow to try and protect these majestic ones through my words and actions. 

Thank you Machali. I owe you.

Charger – Overlord of the Brother’s Fort

Bandhabgrah, a legendry mythological domain with devout story engraved into it’s heart. As the legend goes, it derived it’s name “Bandhabgarh – Meaning Brother’s fort” for it was a gift from Lord Ram to young brother Lakshman to acts as a sentinel from the invading Sri Lankan demons. It’s been the canvas of different vibrant eras ruled by the Gods, Maharajas and now the Tigers. As I tell you this story, we will slip back in time and find ourselves among the ages when Gods overtook Gods, Maharajas overturned kingdoms and Majestic Tigers reclaimed the ancient territories.

Bandhabgarh Fort

Prior to being a National park, Bandhabgarh was the private game reserve of the Maharaja of Rewa. The kings and noble men used to hunt animals from the elephant back. Tiger was always a prized game. Hundreds of tigers were killed during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.  The elusive beasts were almost killed to the verge of disappearance. But it all changed.  Bandhavgarh was declared a national park in 1968, with an area of 105 km². The buffer zone covers the forest divisions of Umaria and Katni and totals 820 km^2. . Conservation efforts paid off and it is now considered the national park with highest density of tigers.

Bandhabgarh’s landscape was and is always dominated by fierce kings. The story of “Charger” adorns as a jewel in the royal history of the fort kingdom. My heart pounds and pulse race frantically as I put down this story because the valor of this Tiger and his tale is beyond words. But I regret that in my lifetime I couldn’t get to lay my eyes upon him… Charger.

Crowning of the King:

Charkadhara region in Tala range of Bandhavgarh National Park was a richly diverse area with prominent hillocks. During 1991, it was ruled by a very masculine dominant male, “Banka”. Banka in local language means “the handsome one”, true to his name he was. On the particular dusk of summer in 1991, Banka was patrolling his territory with deep throated calling of “aaungh- aaungh”, displaying his might. While Banka was prowling along the Aama Nala road, suddenly a series of resounding roars from up the hill jolted the jungle. Banka stopped dead in his tracks and immediately looked up. All strained up, ears turned forward, he faced the hilly slope trying to understand what was happening. His ears picked up the sound of fast approaching footsteps. Whatever it was, was now heading straight towards him churning the dry leaves scattered on the ground. Occasional short hideous growls followed the footsteps. He instinctively knew that he has a challenger now. The resident tiger (Banka) accepted the challenge replying vent to a full throated roar. The roar was answered by quickened movement of the oncoming stranger. The stranger’s walk turned into a jog, and finally into a full intensity gallop… 

Battle for the Territory

Emerging through the cover of bamboo bushes was a vicious looking tiger in his youthful prime, with mane like long hair fringing his face. Without any warning the behemoth pounced on Banka like a thundering storm. The collision sent both rolling down the ground. The next moment the young male was towering over Banka frantically trying to get his teeth into his opponent’s skull and neck. Saliva dripping down his widely open jaws, Banka roared in defiance and raked the body of his rival with his fully stretched paws. The roar of the battling tigers sent tremors through the forest. The echo was to be heard by every creature in the far vicinity and for a moment it felt like the war driven days of maharajas has come back to life in Bandhabgarh. Soon the ferocity, youth and indescribable anger of the young tiger took better of Banka. He gave up and disengaged himself from deadly grip of his rival. Bleeding profusely Banka left the battlefield and tottered away from the onslaught. A final heart rendering roar from the young male announced the crowning of a new king of Tala zone.

Charger- Charging at theVehicle 

The next early morning sunrays brought in a new day. The safari jeeps lined up at the Tala gate to have their first sightings. The first jeep to enter the park carrying a party of jungle-trackers was driven by Rajan. As they approached a turn, they could see a vicious tiger lying down beside the forest road, licking his bleeding gashes and growling at intervals. They had unknowingly come very near to the new tiger following overnight pugmarks of Banka. The furious tiger raised his head and intently stiffened his body as a posture of uncomfortable aggression. He swiftly prepared himself for a charge. He growled and scratched the earth with his claws in anger clearly hinting them to stay away. As the jeep stopped near the tiger, he jumped up, rushed towards the jeep roaring menacingly. His momentum almost made him collide with the vehicle. It was just a mock attack but he made his intension clear. The turn of events was so spontaneous that the occupants of the jeep were frozen in fear following a shrill cry. Fortunately the tiger wheeled back abruptly and went off into the forest.

Charger walking past the Safari elephant

The jeep got back to the camp and due to a misunderstanding the word was spread that “Banka” has gone mad. Sightings of a Banka like tiger near villages away from his territory added to the confusion. Kuttapan, the head Mahout (person who drives elephant) decided to solve the mystery. Riding over his huge tusker Gautam, he entered the high grass behind Gopalpur pond looking for Banka. Within a moment, he heard a distinct loud growl from his right, and next moment a thundering striped fury shot out from the grass and charged at elephant Gautam. Kuttapan somehow managed to stir the elephant away from the grassland. He rushed out of the forest perspiring profusely and declared that a very dangerous, short-tempered tiger had arrived in the forest.

Charger

Thus, the Legendary Tiger came to be known by the name of “Charger”- The aggressive one.

Biography:

The origin of Charger is not clearly known. Park rangers consider him to be from a different part of the park. He first made his appearance in the summer of 1991, when he defeated Banka and claimed his territory in Tala zone. His tenure as a overlord of Tala stretched almost a decade (1991-1999). It is extraordinary as the life span of tiger is 12-15 years. He was in his prime even during his last days. His ferocity made him an International Legend and even today years after his passing his story drifts along the folklore of park rangers and wildlife enthusiasts.

The Legendary Couple - Charger with Sita

Charger had a lifetime mate, “Sita”. In 1992 their first litter was with two male cubs “Langru” and “Bada Bachha”. Bada Bachha was strong and later claimed his territory around Ghora demon. But the younger son had a slight limp in his hind leg, hence named Langru ( limping one). Langru did not make his own territory instead decided to stay with Charger. It came as a surprise to forest official when a vicious territorial male like Charger accepted his 4 year old lame son, denying the logic that dominant males drive away their own grownup male cubs.

Sita’s second litter (March, 1994) with Charger was ill-fated with a blind female cub, which died early. This shook Sita down to the core. She also had a beautiful female from the same litter, who came to be known as “Mohini” (because of her mesmerizing looks). A few years later Mohini mothered three male cubs B1, B2 and B3. In September 1996, Sita produced her fifth litter from Charger comprising one male and two females. Three months later Sita went missing, and Charger was left alone. Charger had no mate ever since.

Charger, wounded after his battle with B1

During 1995-1998 he had a few feuds with other male tigers but none dared to match his caliber. He ruled his territory with utmost dominance. With time Charger was growing old. He was hungry most of the time and survived through scavenging. He wandered in search of dead animals. His movements were restricted to a particular region of “Barua Nala”. And now the new generation of Tigers: B1, B2 & B3 were claiming their dominance in the area. During this Charger could not restrict himself long in a limited territory and ventured into Rajbehra and had a conflict with B1 and both face injuries. Charger had to retreat.

Decline of the Charger’s reign:

On a fateful day in June 2000, Charger engaged in a conflict with strong B2 for territorial dominance. In this fierce battle B2 wrote the last deciding chapter of Charger’s grand saga.

A week later, Charger was found half dead, lying in a ditch close to Mardari village. To avoid any controversies and danger to villagers, the forest department tranquilized Charger, put him in a cage and transferred him to an enclosure at Chirhadhar, Magadhi Zone. The forest officials attended to his wounds and within a few weeks Charger’s health seemed to improve.  

Charger in his enclosure in Magadhi  Zone

True to his name, he did not like being enclosed and used to charge at the fence very often. He used to prowl through in the enclosure as though he was patrolling his territory. Teeth blazing, he used to roar and growl at anyone who came near his fence. He was like an imprisoned king, who never let go of his pride, valor and royalty.

His spirit was never grounded but his old body had given away to the test of time.

On 29^th September, 2000 Charger breathed his last. He neither cringed nor whimpered during his last moments. He lived like a king with all his glory and accepted death with open arms as a warrior would do.

 In his honor, his final resting place is named "Charger Point" in Magadhi zone (Gate no. 2).

Resting place of the Legendary Charger - Charger Point 

He engraved his legacy in golden letters on the history of Indian wildlife. Made internationally famous by his nature, he paved way for a better future for Bandhabgarh’s tigers.

His pugmarks might have faded away on the sands of time but for every soul that ever heard of him, he will always be… “Charger – The Overlord of Bandhabgarh”