The world-famous tigress, T-39 Noor of Ranthambore, surprised everyone by becoming a mother at the last stage of her life. Experts believe that the chances of becoming the mother of an aged tigress are slim. There have been a few reports from Ranthambore and other national parks of tigresses becoming mothers at the age of 15. Prior to this, in Ranthambore, the tigress named Machli gave birth to three cubs at the age of 13. Tigress T-39 is known as Noor in Ranthambore. This tigress has become a mother five times so far. The tigress T-39 is about 16 years old now. She is one of the most beautiful tigresses in Ranthambore. And that’s how the tigress T-39 got the name “Noor.” The territory of the tigress is in zone number one of Ranthambore, currently. Generally, the age limit of a tigress is expected to be 15 to 16 years, during which she gives birth to cubs until the age of 10 or maximum 12 years. Due to hormonal changes in a growing body, a tigress is usually not capable of giving birth after the age of 12. But Noor, from Ranthambore, has astonished everyone by becoming a mother at the age of 15.
According to forest department officials, tigress T39 Noor has become a mother five times so far. Tigress T39 Noor is the daughter of Tigress T-13. Tigress T-39 gave birth to Sultan when she became a mother for the first time. In the second instance, tigress T-39 gave birth to two cubs, Kalu and Dholu. The third time she gave birth to two more cubs, but they could not survive. The tigress Noor gave birth to three tigresses in the fourth time: Noori, Sultana, and T-106, with T-106 being sent to Mukundra.And about four months ago, the tigress gave birth to two cubs at the age of 15. The tigress was not even able to feed the two cubs for many days due to her old age. At present, this tigress is seen roaming around alone. Her cubs have not been seen by anyone for a long time. Therefore, it is believed that they are no longer alive. Ranthambore’s tigress T-39 Noor is the only tigress in the world who, in the year 2016, took the Tiger T-57 heads-on, just to save her children. Often the tigresses are not present where the tigers are, but T-39 clashed with T-57 for the sake of her affection for her cubs. She had driven the tiger T-57 away from her territory to save her cubs, Kalu and Dholu, all by herself.
Ranthambore’s ACF (Assistant Conservator of Forests), Manas Singh, said that this is the first case of such an old tigress becoming a mother in Ranthambore in recent years. It has been observed that usually, the tigresses become mothers at the age of 10 to 12 years, but this is an exception in the case of Noor. As per available information, before this, the tigress Machli, known as the Queen of Ranthambore, gave birth to three female cubs in 2011 at the age of 13. Machli gave birth to T-17 Sundari, T-18, and T-19. Out of which, T-17 Sundari died, whereas T-18 was sent to Sariska. T-19, Krishna’s territory, at the moment, falls under Zone 4 of Ranthambore.
