Famed Ranthambore tigress takes down crocodile two days before dying in epic fight
Arrowhead’s last roar
Ranthambore: She lived up to a legendary name—and died with the same fire in her veins. In a scene reminiscent of her grandmother Machhli, Ranthambore’s famed ‘Crocodile Killer’, tigress Arrowhead (T-84) brought down a crocodile in a fierce battle just two days before her death.
The 14-year-old tigress died on Thursday following a prolonged battle with bone cancer. Her passing came just hours after her daughter, Kankati (T-2507), was relocated to the Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve. Kankati had allegedly been involved in two fatal attacks, including the death of a forest ranger, which prompted forest officials to transfer her in the interest of public safety.
Born to tigress Krishna (T-19) and descended from Machhli (T-16)—arguably one of India’s most photographed and celebrated tigress—Arrowhead carried forward a powerful lineage of strength, beauty, and survival. Living up to her legacy, Arrowhead became known for her rare ability to kill crocodiles — an extraordinary feat that drew admiration and awe.
In a remarkable final act of dominance, Arrowhead ambushed a crocodile near Padam Talab in Zone 3 of the park, just two days before her death. According to a report by NDTV, the fearless tigress had been lying in wait near the water’s edge at Jogimahal before pouncing on the crocodile as it emerged from the lake. Eyewitnesses described a brief but intense struggle that lasted barely a minute, ending with the tigress sinking her powerful jaws into the reptile’s neck and dragging its lifeless body into the nearby forest.
Fare thee well Arrowhead đŸ’”
— Anirudh Laxmipathy (@anirudh123) June 19, 2025
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Did not go gentle into that good night ,
Raged against the dying of light,
Always a blazing star in our hearts
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I was incredibly lucky to witness an extremely frail Arrowhead take down a crocodile - a testament to her indomitable resilience and grit pic.twitter.com/BFfwZBruaw
Photos and videos of the brutal incident quickly went viral, capturing Arrowhead’s ferocity and unrelenting power, even in the twilight of her life, as she summoned the last of her strength to haul the heavy carcass into the jungle. The scene felt almost scripted, a mirror image of her grandmother Machhli’s most legendary hunts.
Arrowhead had been under veterinary observation for weeks due to her deteriorating health. Wildlife photographer Sachin Rai saw her just two evenings before she breathed her last—by the banks of Padam Talab, struggling to move. Yet, in a final act of power, she proved that the spirit of her bloodline remained unbroken until the very end.
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4 children test HIV positive in MP govt hospital; contaminated blood transfusion suspected
Satna/Bhopal (PTI): Four children suffering from thalassemia have tested HIV positive at Satna District Hospital in Madhya Pradesh allegedly due to contaminated blood transfusions, officials said on Tuesday.
The case is four months old and an investigation is underway into it, an official said.
Officials suspect the use of contaminated needles or blood transfusions for the spread of infection to the children.
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MP Health Minister Rajendra Shukla told reporters in Bhopal that he has ordered a probe into the matter and sought a report.
“It is also being investigated whether the blood transfusion took place in other hospitals also or only in the government hospital,” he said.
The affected children, aged between 12 and 15 years, received blood transfusions from the hospital's blood bank, as per an official.
Devendra Patel, in-charge of the blood bank at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel District Hospital in Satna, said four children have tested HIV positive and an investigation is underway to determine how they got infected.
"Either an infected needle was used or a blood transfusion occurred. These are the two main reasons I believe. Blood transfusion seems to be the most likely cause," he told PTI Videos.
All these children suffer from thalassemia, and some have received 80 or 100 blood transfusions, he said.
A family member of one of the affected children said that their child was found to be HIV positive during a routine checkup about four months back, and he has been receiving medication, but it had proven to be of no use.
After taking the medication for HIV, the child starts vomiting, feels low and becomes ill, he said.
After the four children were detected with HIV infection, their family members were also tested and the results came out negative, he added.
The Opposition Congress targeted the government over the matter and demanded the resignation of Health Minister Shukla.
Speaking to reporters in Bhopal, Congress MLA and former minister Sachin Yadav claimed such incidents were continuously occurring in Madhya Pradesh.
Earlier, a case of toxic cough syrup came to light in Chhindwara, followed by incidents of rat bites at hospitals in Indore and Satna, and now children have been given HIV-infected blood, he said.
"The health minister is unable to manage the department. He should resign. A murder case should be filed against those responsible for the Satna incident," Yadav said.
Senior Congress leader Sajjan Singh Verma termed it a failure of the government. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's government has no connection with ground realities, he charged.
"Somewhere rats are roaming in hospitals, somewhere children are being given HIV-infected blood. Instead of preventing HIV, you are spreading it. Mohan Yadav should wake up from his slumber. Children are the nation's heritage and should be taken care of," he added.
