One of the oldest and most well-known tigresses of Pench Tiger Reserve, popularly known as “Langdi Baghin” (Lame Tigress), has died at the age of around 18 on Saturday, forest officials said.
The tigress, identified as T-20 (PN-20), was found dead near the Munara Camp area in the Karmajhiri Range of the reserve at around 10:30 am, bringing an end to the life of one of the most recognised big cats in the park.
Officials from the forest department, including the Chief Conservator of Forests in Seoni district, paid tribute to the tigress. Following the guidelines of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), a post-mortem examination was conducted by senior wildlife veterinarians along with local veterinary officials. After completing the required formalities, the tigress was cremated with full respect by the reserve management.
According to officials, the tigress had become very weak in recent months and was no longer able to hunt on her own. Her death is believed to have occurred due to old age and physical weakness.
Dev Prasad J, Director of Pench Tiger Reserve, said the tigress was born in 2008 and was among the most senior big cats in the reserve. He added that T-20 was last seen by tourists on March 6, 2026. In recent times, she had reportedly survived by feeding on prey left behind by other animals as her health had deteriorated.
The tigress was widely known for a congenital deformity in her front paws, which caused her to walk with a noticeable limp. Despite the disability, she managed to survive in the wild for many years and became a familiar sight for wildlife enthusiasts visiting the reserve.
T-20 was also the sister of the famous tigress Collarwali Tigress, which gained global attention for giving birth to a large number of cubs. Like her sister, T-20 played a key role in boosting the tiger population in the reserve.
During her lifetime, the tigress gave birth to 10 cubs, many of which later established their own territories in and around the reserve, contributing significantly to the growth of the tiger population in the region.
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