Producer: Priyanka Das Editor: Sujata Singh

International Tiger Day 2024: 10 Famous Tigers of India 

Named for having a fish-shaped mark on her cheek, Machli played a significant role in boosting the tiger population in India. She gave birth to 11 cubs between 1999 and 2006 raising Ranthambore’s tiger count from 15 to 50. She passed away in 2016 at the age of 19.

1:  Machli (Ranthambore National Park)

Collarwali is the only tigress in the wild to have given birth to 29 cubs. She earned her name as the first tiger in Pench to be fitted with a radio collar. She is also known as Mataram (beloved mother) because of the many children she had.

2: Collarwali (Pench National Park)

Maya reigns as the supreme in Tadoba National Park, the oldest national park in Maharashtra. If you visit this reserve, safari guides and forest authorities often recount her clashes with other tigresses. 

3: Maya (Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve

First sighted in Corbett around 2013-14, there was speculation that Paro was the daughter of a tigress known as Thandi Maa from Dhikala Chaur. Despite her petite size, she chased away two tiger matriarchs, establishing her rule over both sides of the Ramganga River.

4: Paro (Corbett Tiger Reserve)

Vijay, the six-footer white tiger born in the Delhi Zoo, became well-known for attacking a 22-year-old intruder. He played a key role in the zoo’s successful breeding program as he sired 5 cubs with his mate Kalpana.

5: Vijay (Delhi Zoo)

Also known as the King of Kanha, Munna is famous for its distinctive stripes on his forehead. Though old now, his tales of territorial fights remain popular. His son, Chota Munna, is taking forward his legacy in Kanha.

6: Munna (Kanha National Park)

Prince, a dominant male tiger, was the most photographed and dominating tiger of Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Karnataka. In 2017, his body was found in the park’s Kundakere Range.

7: Prince (Bandipur National Park)

Waghdoh was named after a waterhole in the Mohurli region of Tadoba. He has claimed his territory by defeating another tiger named Yeda Anna. He was found dead in May 2022, shortly after reportedly killing a shepherd.

8: Waghdoh (Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve)

Kankati, also known as Vijaya, dominated the Chorbehra and Chakradhara regions up to the Bandhavgarh Fort. Her fierce battle with Lakshmi, a disabled tigress, left her with one eye. 

9: Kankati (Bandhavgarh National Park)

Bamera, the largest tiger that the park had ever known, ousted his ailing father (B2) and became the dominant male of the Bandhavgarh National Park.

10: Bamera (Bandhavgarh National Park)