Collarwali Tigress: You’ve probably heard of Madhya Pradesh’s Pench Tiger Reserve. Do you know about its “Super Mom,” Collarwali? Collarwali was a tigress of Pench, but she wasn’t just any tigress, she changed the future of the Pench Tiger Reserve, where she lived. Collarwali became famous all over the country. In 2022, this tigress passed away, but she played a significant role in establishing Pench as a tiger reserve.
How did she get the name Collarwali?
Collarwali was born in 2005 and was initially known as T-15. Her mother was known as “Badi Mata” (Big Mother), and her father as T-1. Collarwali was the first tigress in Pench to wear a radio collar, which is how she got her name, meaning “the one with a collar.”
Collarwali blessed Pench with 29 cubs
Collarwali was given this name because she had a radio collar around her neck. She left behind a unique legacy, giving birth to a total of 29 cubs across eight litters during her lifetime, a remarkable achievement according to experts.
How did Collarwali become famous?
She gained fame in India when she appeared in the BBC wildlife documentary *Spy in the Jungle*, which followed the lives of four tiger cubs for two years. Many people watched this show and became curious to learn more about Collarwali and her famous mother. Numerous tourists visited Pench Park just to see her.
Tourists came to see Collarwali
After the BBC documentary, there was a massive increase in tourists, many of whom asked about Collarwali and her mother. Rangers, forest officers, and photographers all have fond memories of her and remember her as a special animal. Collarwali became a symbol of Pench. She was known for her calm nature, which allowed tourists to see her up close. Collarwali was considered very wise because whenever she was injured, she would come out into the open to rest, ensuring that someone could see her and provide help.
She gave birth to 5 cubs at a time
In 2010, Collarwali gave birth to five cubs in one go, which is rare among tigers. Collarwali was also known as a “Super Mom.” While most tigresses stay with their cubs for over two years, Collarwali taught her cubs to become independent sooner. She would guide them to areas with plenty of prey.
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Collarwali was not just a tigress; she became an identity for Pench. The staff, her vet, and reserve workers consider themselves lucky to have witnessed the life of such a tigress. In 2022, when Collarwali was 16 years old, she passed away. Her memorial has been built in Pench itself.
