A troupe of tourists had the remarkable fortune to witness the formidable prowess of Tigress Riddhi during their recent expedition to Rajasthan’s Ranthambore National Park. This wildlife sanctuary harbors a variety of formidable predators, with tigers and leopards reigning supreme in the ecosystem while numerous massive crocodiles inhabit the park’s many lakes.
As the tourists strolled past one of these bodies of water, they beheld Riddhi elegantly approaching, perhaps in search of refreshment. Suddenly, a crocodile emerged from the lake, seizing the attention of both predator and onlookers alike.
Upon spotting the reptile, Riddhi swiftly launched an attack, catching the crocodile off guard. Though the crocodile managed to evade her onslaught and swiftly disappear into the depths, Riddhi gracefully accepted the outcome and retreated from the crocodile-infested waters.
The tourists captured the gripping encounter on their mobile devices, later sharing the footage on Instagram through the Ranthambore National Park’s official account. The caption, “Breathtaking Battle: Tigress Riddhi attacked the crocodile,” accompanied the post.
The video’s viral spread prompted viewers to draw comparisons to Tigress Machali, Riddhi’s late great-grandmother and a renowned figure in her own right as the “Crocodile Killer” or “Lady of the Lake” for her mastery over the semiaquatic reptiles. Observers noted Riddhi’s aggressiveness, attributing it to the genes inherited from Machali.
In June 2021, Riddhi, then two-and-a-half years old, was relocated to the Sariska Tiger Reserve due to frequent territorial disputes with her sister Siddhi, compounded by a severe tongue injury requiring 14 stitches.
“The population of big cats in the reserve is growing, necessitating additional space. We are seeking approval for further relocations,” remarked Ranthambore’s field director TC Verma. Currently, the Ranthambore National Park boasts over 80 tigers and ranks as India’s third most densely populated tiger reserve after Jim Corbett and Kaziranga.
