In January 2022, the villagers of Madhya Pradesh, India, held a ceremonial funeral to honor Collarwali, a wild tigress who had lived peacefully among them for 16 years without ever harming a human. Revered as the “Queen of Pench” and affectionately called the “Super Tiger Mom,” she gave birth to 29 cubs over eight litters. The farewell included traditional tribal rituals, floral offerings, a white shroud, and a wooden pyre. A local woman led the ceremony, lighting the fire as a gesture of deep respect. Collarwali was the first tigress in the Pench reserve to be fitted with a tracking collar, which allowed researchers to closely study her movements and behavior. She passed away from natural causes, and her contribution is seen as crucial to the revival of the region’s tiger population.
