The wilds of Pench Tiger Reserve echo with loss as PN-20, fondly called the ‘Lame Tigress,’ breathes her last at 18 years old—the oldest recorded in the sanctuary’s history. This Saturday’s discovery near Karmajhiri’s Munara Camp closed a remarkable chapter in Madhya Pradesh wildlife.
With roots in 2008, PN-20’s life was marked by resilience against a front paw deformity that gave her a signature limp, endearing her to thousands of visitors. Spotted for the final time on March 6, her decline from age was inevitable, ending in peaceful repose.
Sister to the globally acclaimed Collarwali, she claimed vast swathes of Karmajhiri territory. In her senior years, survival hinged on opportunistic feeding from tiger and leopard kills, a strategy that sustained her prolific breeding.
PN-20’s motherhood legacy shines brightest: 10 cubs born in strategic litters—two daughters in 2012, three in 2016 (one male, two females), four sons in 2019, and one more female in 2021. These heirs have populated Pench, fortifying the gene pool.
Authorities ensured a respectful send-off, with NTCA-compliant post-mortem by expert vets and dignified incineration. Her fame drew crowds, amplifying the reserve’s conservation narrative.
As Pench bids adieu to its lame queen, her record-breaking tenure highlights the triumphs and trials of tiger longevity, calling for vigilant habitat stewardship.