TIGER T-61 AKA JUNIOR LADALI

Junior Ladali, also known as Tiger T-61 Aka Junior Ladali, is one of the young tigresses vying to etch her name in Ranthambore National Park. Her story conveys hope since she is following in her mother's footsteps.

T-8 (Ladali), mother gave birth to her first litter in 2011 with one male and one female cub sired by T-34 (Kumbha). By 2013, both cubs had long since left her mother. The female cub, T-61, settled in zone 8 (Balas area), part of her mother's area, and was spotted wandering from the same area. In contrast, the male cub, T-62, was chased out of the park and later ended up in Bundi's Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary.

Since moving into zone 8, T-61 had been allowed by a top-ranking male, T-58, to share the area. They often spent time together in May and June. Unfortunately, several hopes of some good news for T-61 were dashed. Fortunate tourists in Zone 8 on 9 September 2015 could see T-61 with her two newborn cubs during an afternoon safari. This wondrous sighting made the Balas area a hot spot for wildlife photographers and enthusiasts as T-61 became the only tigress in the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve with such young cubs, approximately six months old.

Sadly, T-61 died at Ranthambore National Park on May 13, 2022. It is unfortunate for any wildlife lover. According to the park's forest officer, her body was found in the Jamoda stream under Zone 7. At the time of death, she was about 12 years old.

T-61 traveled widely throughout her lifetime in Zones 7 and 8. After her death, the carcass was shifted to the Rajbagh forest post for post-mortem examination.

Photographs of T-61 had been taken by tourists when she rested in her morning in Zone 7. Whenever her immobility persisted, they immediately notified the forest department officials. The forest guard checked her and later informed his senior officers about the facts.

T-61's body was retrieved from the Jamoda stream by personnel attached to the forest department and then forwarded to Rajbagh Naka. Forest and administrative officials and a team of veterinarians were present who conducted the post-mortem. The report claimed that she was dead around 24 hours ago.

The site where T-61's body was discovered is in a hilly area. It is most probably from the investigation that she fell from a considerable height while chasing prey, had a broken neck, and had an internal injury that killed her.