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Machali, world's oldest and most celebrated tigress dies

by India Blooms News Service 18 Aug 2016, 09:40 am

Jaipur, Aug 18 (IBNS) : Machali, the worlds oldest tigress in the wild, died on Thursday in Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan, Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje confirmed the news on Twitter.

"Maachli gave visitors stories to remember--her bloodline reigns supreme in valleys & glades of the park," her tweet said.

The world's most photographed big cat was 19 years old.

According to reports, the celebrity tigress that had a postage stamp and several documentary films on her name, had become infirm and was reportedly ill the last few months.

Machali used to draw huge number of visitors, including foreigners, to the national park for years.

It had lost all her teeth in a fight with a crocodile few years ago and lost the sight in one of the eyes.

The tigress was named Machhali because of marks on her face which resembled a fish.

According to the website of the Ranathambhore National Park, Machali gave birth to 11 offspring, seven females and four males, and played a key role in the increase in tiger population in the national park.

. From 2004, when the park had only 15 tigers, the number went up to 50 in 10 years, and 60 percent of the tigers had Machali lineage.

She also gained fame after a video in 2008 captured her successfully fighting a 13-foot-long crocodilenear a lake in the park.

The  tigress was accorded  a lifetime achievement award after India was estimated to earn $10 million every year for 10 years from tourists who came to the country just to see her.