The Charismatic and Ferocious Legacy of Collarwali Tigress

The wildlife of India owes its thriving existence to the cautious efforts of the government and resilient fauna, with individuals like Tigress T-15 leaving an indelible mark of courage and charisma. Making history by giving birth to twenty-nine cubs during her sixteen-year lifetime, she became the renowned Collarwali Tigress, a celebrated figure documented by BBC.

The Tigress Who Ruled Pench for 16 Years | Source: Pinterest

In the heart of the Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh lived a tigress who etched her name in history. Renowned for her ferocious courage and remarkable maternal instincts, Collarwali Tigress, also known as T-15, gave birth to an astounding twenty-nine cubs during her sixteen-year lifespan. Her extraordinary achievements and distinctive personality turned her into a wildlife celebrity, and the BBC depicted an unprecedented documentary titled ‘Spy of the Jungle’ to trace her life for two years.

Born with a name merely denoting her birth serial number, Collarwali earned her distinctive title from the special radio collar she wore for two years. This is the tale of Collarwali Tigress, how she earned her name, and the unique life she led—a life often more meaningful than that of many humans, yet not celebrated as it should be. Collarwali was special, and her uniqueness demanded commemoration.

Born alongside five siblings to her mother, famously known as ‘bari mata’ or ‘big mother,’ Collarwali inherited a strong spirit and character. Her lineage belonged to a distinguished and illustrious big cat family, setting her apart from the beginning. Collarwali's journey from T-15 to Collarwali started with her impact on tiger conservation in India.

At a time when India struggled to preserve and increase its tiger population, Collarwali's contribution became monumental. Her twenty-nine cubs played a crucial role in boosting India's tiger population, now constituting seventy per cent of the world’s total tiger count across fifty-one wildlife sanctuaries.

Collarwali's motherhood approach deviated from convention. Unlike other tigresses who keep their cubs close for a minimum of two years, Collarwali fostered self-reliance in her cubs. She left them alone in parts of the forest with accessible prey, following the philosophy that a forceful push can be more productive than a friendly nudge.

The BBC documentary, which introduced T-15 as ‘Collarwali Tigress,’ chronicles her life and her two strongest cubs over two years. In 2022, Collarwali passed away due to impending old age. Her respectful forest cremation drew forest officials and naturalists who knew her story, considering it their duty to bid farewell to this ferocious tiger with a strong spirit and body.

Forest officers who had witnessed Collarwali's journey from birth honoured her great legacy, recognising that her spirit was unmatched and unlikely to be replicated in any other tiger.