Oldest tigress Machli found in Ranthambore National Park

Machli, Queen Mother of tiger dynasty was found in the Ranthambhore National Park on 5 February 2014. The tigress was missing from 9 January 2014 from zone 5 of the park.

The 17-year-old Machli is the longest living wild-tigress in the world, besides being the most photographed big cat. The tigress was identified as T-16.

Machli had survived in the dense forest by hunting her own prey despite her advanced age.

Two dozen camera traps were installed at strategic locations in the tiger territory and teams of over 200 officials patrolled the park since Machli went missing.

Machli was in the last phase of her life. The life span of a tiger in the wild is about 12 years. Machli is akin to a 120-year-old human being. At this age, her fewer sightings are not unusual.

Machli was restricted to a limited area in the national park, as four tigers had intruded into her conventional abode.