Indian wildlife photographer Sachin Rai still remembers tigress “Arrowhead” pouncing on a crocodile and tearing away its leathery flesh with her teeth.
Rai had been photographing the iconic tigress in western Rajasthan state's Ranthambore National Park since she was a cub, according to BBC.
Last week, Arrowhead, also known as T-84, died at the age of 11 near a stretch of lakes in the scenic park, the very territory she had gloriously ruled over in her prime.
Her death, caused by an illness, was mourned by hundreds of wildlife enthusiasts, photographers and tour guides who had flocked to the park to get a glimpse of her.
Arrowhead's legendary status comes partly from her lineage; she is the daughter of Krishna and granddaughter of Machli - majestic tigresses who, once upon a time, dominated vast home ranges in Ranthambore with ferocity.
They were also skilled crocodile-killers, known to incapacitate the massive creatures by crushing their skulls in their powerful jaws.
Rai said that Arrowhead - named such by another wildlife photographer after the distinct arrow-shaped stripes on her cheek - took to killing crocodiles after her health began failing her.
“But even though she was weak and frail, the crocodiles were no match for her,” Rai said.
Her kills earned her the nickname “crocodile-hunter” by her fans, he added. In fact, she killed a crocodile just days before her death.
Though graceful and fierce, Arrowhead had a difficult life, Rai said.
Arrowhead gave birth to four litters in her lifetime, but not all of her children survived.
She grew weak after developing a tumor and park officials would have to bring her food when she couldn't hunt for days. However, this was stopped after some of her cubs attacked and killed people.
