18-year-old R’bore tigress Noor strays to park fringes, spotted near NH-552

Jaipur: Tigress T-39, also known as Noor, one of the oldest surviving big cats in Ranthambore National Park, has begun moving along the reserve’s outer stretches and was recently sighted near National Highway-552, raising concern among residents and prompting intensified monitoring by forest teams.

“Born in 2007, T-39 is currently around 18 years old, placing her among the longest-living tigresses recorded in the park at present,” said Manas Singh, DFO, Ranthambore.

Forest officials said tigers rarely reach such an age in the wild due to territorial conflict, prey scarcity and natural decline, adding that T-39 has survived entirely under natural conditions, without medical care or human intervention.

A wildlife enthusiast said, “Over her lifetime, she has produced five litters and raised 11 cubs, contributing to the tiger population within the Ranthambore landscape. Her longevity is often viewed in the context of earlier long-living tigresses such as Machchli, though T-39’s life has remained fully within park parameters.”

In recent weeks, officials recorded a shift in her movement pattern. “The tigress is now frequently sighted in fringe areas, including the Range of Project Tiger (ROPT) and Phalodi range, indicating reduced territorial control and a search for less competitive space,” said a forest staff member.

Late at night, T-39 was seen near NH-552 close to Bodal village on the Sawai Madhopur–Sheopur route. Forest teams tracked her through the night and confirmed she later moved back towards the forest.

Officials said the tigress appears physically weakened and has been observed limping. “Her movement towards human-use areas is being linked to difficulty in securing prey and water within core territories,” the staff member added.

In an earlier incident, officials said, she killed livestock near the same highway and stayed in the area for several days, prompting caution among commuters.

The forest department has deployed multiple teams to monitor her movement. Residents in nearby areas have been advised to remain alert and restrict night-time movement as tracking continues.

Tiger expert Abhishek Chaudhary said, “Other big cats in Ranthambore National Park have also reached or approached the 20-year mark. Tigress T-8 Ladli, who was around 21, went missing from the Kushalipura area about a year ago, while T-13, which had crossed 20 years, was last recorded in the Karnapur region nearly two years earlier.”
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