Every year, on July 29, people in many countries celebrate World Tiger Day. This day is for learning about tigers and why we must protect them. Tigers are in danger because forests are being cut down, and some people hunt tigers for money. On this day, we talk about ways to save tigers and help them live safely in the wild.
One tiger has become very famous in stories about tiger protection. Her name is Machhli, and she lived in Ranthambore National Park in the state of Rajasthan, India. People in India and also in other countries know her name. Machhli was not just another wild animal. She became one of the most well-known tigers in the world.
Many people made Ranthambore safari bookings just to see her. She brought many tourists & nature lovers to Ranthambore. She contributed to making Ranthambore National Park more popular and helped increase the tiger population of Rajasthan. Some of her children were sent to other forests. These young tigers helped bring back the tiger population in places where there were no tigers before.
Machhli’s story is not just about one tiger. It is about how one tiger helped many other tigers and helped people understand why it is important to care about animals and forests.
Who Was Tigress Machhli?
Machhli was also known by her code name T-16. She lived for almost 20 years in Ranthambore National Park. This is a very long time for a tiger living in the wild. The average wild tiger lives anywhere from 10 to 15 years (approx.). Machhli lived longer than many other tigers.
Her name, “Machhli,” means “fish” in the Hindi language. She got her name due to a fish-shaped face mark.
Machhli lived in the area near lakes and grasslands inside Ranthambore National Park. She was strong and smart. Because of this, people called her the Queen of Ranthambore. She knew how to hunt well. She was good at finding food and staying safe in the forest. Machhli also took good care of her cubs.
During her life, Machhli gave birth to 11 cubs. These cubs grew up to become strong adult tigers. Some of these cubs were moved to other forests where there were no tigers. These young tigers started new families in those forests. Because of this, tiger numbers in Rajasthan started to go up again.
Her children and their children helped fill forests with more tigers. This was good for nature and for all the animals living in the forest. Machhli’s family line became very important for the protection and growth of tigers in the state.
How Machhli Helped The Tiger Population
In the early 2000s, a very big problem happened at the Sariska Tiger Reserve, which is another forest in Rajasthan. All the tigers in that forest disappeared. Most of them were killed by poachers. Poachers are people who hunt animals illegally. People were very sad and worried because the forest had no tigers left.
But there was some hope. Some cubs of Machhli were moved to Sariska from Ranthambore. These cubs started to live there. After some time, they had their own cubs. Slowly, the tiger population of Sariska started to increase again.
The same thing happened in two other places: Mukundra Hills and Ramgarh Vishdhari wildlife areas. These forests also had no tigers or only a few. Machhli’s children were sent to these places. They lived there, made homes, and had their own cubs. These forests became full of life again.
Thanks to Machhli & her family, the number of tigers in Rajasthan increased. Forests that had no tigers before became homes for many new tigers. Because Machhli lived a long life and had many cubs, her family helped the tiger population grow.
This is why people say Machhli was not only important in Ranthambore National Park, but also in other forests in Rajasthan. Her life helped many other tigers survive & grow in numbers. She played a big role in saving tigers in the state.
Names People Gave To Machhli
Over the years, Machhli became very popular. People gave her many special names. Each name tells something about her life and why she was important.
- The Most Famous Tiger – She was in many photographs and videos. These were shown to people around the world. No other wild tiger was recorded on camera as much as Machhli.
- Crocodile Killer – In one event, she fought a large crocodile and killed it. This showed her strength and courage. After that, people called her the crocodile killer.
- Queen of Ranthambore – Since she lived for a long time and was strong, people called her this name to show respect.
- Mother of Tigers – Because she gave birth to many cubs, and her cubs had cubs too, people called her the mother of many tigers.
These names were not just for fun. They showed how much she helped save tigers and protect forests.
Machhli’s Fame Across The World
Machhli was well-known not only in India but also in many other countries. An Indian wildlife filmmaker, Nalla Muthu, made a 47-minute film about her called The Most Famous Tiger – Machhli. This film was shown in 26 countries and even won an award in London, United Kingdom.
Katie Yocom, an American author, wrote a novel titled The Three Ways to Disappear. The story focused on animal protection and was inspired by Machhli. Her photo was also used on the book’s cover.
These types of films and books helped people from different countries learn about tigers and why they should be protected. Machhli’s story made many people care more about wildlife.
Honors And Awards For Machhli
Many tourists visited for Ranthambore safaris to see Machhli. But it was not only tourists who loved her. The Government of India also gave her special honors.
In the year 2013, the Indian government made a postal stamp with Machhli’s image. This kind of stamp is only made for very important animals or people. It was a big honor for a tiger.
To keep her memory alive, the Forest Department started a new award named after her. It is called the Machhli Award. This award is given to people or groups who work hard to protect animals and forests. It helps people remember Machhli and her role in saving nature.
A memorial was also built for Machhli near Padam Talab lake at Jogi Mahal, inside Ranthambore National Park. She liked resting at this place. Now, people who go on Ranthambore safaris can visit this place and remember the famous tigress.
