Sharmaji

The Queen of the Lakes Still Carries the Crown Right in the heart of Zone 3 in Ranthambore, beside the shimmering waters of Malik Talab, a powerful moment unfolded in April 2024 that left the wildlife community in awe. Riddhi — also known as T-124 — the current Queen of the Lakes, born around October–November 2018, now approximately 7–8 years old. She is the daughter of Tigress Arrowhead (T-84), granddaughter of Krishna (T-19), and the great-granddaughter of the legendary Machli (T-16). Like her ancestors, Riddhi is famous for her aggressive, fearless, and highly territorial personality. She once fought fiercely with her own mother and sister Siddhi (T-125) to seize control of the lake territories. After many brutal battles (including one where she suffered a severe tongue injury requiring 14 stitches), Riddhi successfully claimed Zone 3 & 4 — especially the areas of Padam Lake, Rajbagh, and Malik Talab — earning her the title “Queen of the Lakes”. In June 2023, Riddhi gave birth to her first litter of 3 cubs (now nearly 3 years old, in the sub-adult stage). And less than a year later, she led her cubs in a spectacular hunt: taking down a crocodile right at the edge of Malik Talab — continuing the “Crocodile Killer” tradition of the Machli bloodline. #Ranthambore #Machli #RiddhiT124 #Tiger

🐅 The Crocodile Killer – Machali (T-16) Born around 1997 in Ranthambore National Park, Machali quickly became one of the most famous and beloved tigresses in India. She wasn’t just beautiful — she was incredibly strong and fearless, ruling a huge territory around the lakes. Her most legendary moment happened in 2003 at Rajbagh. A massive mugger crocodile, around 12–14 feet long (nearly 4 meters) and almost twice her weight, entered her territory near the water. It was threatening her cubs. Machali didn’t hesitate. She charged straight into battle. The fight was long, brutal, and intense. The crocodile used its powerful jaws to drag her into the water, but she fought back with raw strength and speed. In the chaos, she lost two of her canines, but in the end, she killed the giant crocodile. The old video of this fight is still going viral even today. Even after losing her canines and later becoming blind in one eye, Machali kept hunting successfully, defending her territory, and raising multiple litters. She lived to 19 years old — an insane age for a wild tigress. Her bloodline still runs strong in Ranthambore’s tigers today. #Machali #Ranthambore #Tiger #Wildlife