Ustad

Born in 2005 to the tiger named T-20 (Jhumroo) and tigress T-22 (Gayatri), T-24 (Ustad) is a mighty and attractive male tiger who ruled the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve for 9 years. He lived a happy life with his partner T-39 (Noor), and thundered about in his zone without any major competition from other male tigers. Once a rising star of the Ranthambore Reserve, T-24 was named as Ustad by the locals owing to his free spirit.

Majestic and intrepid, Ustad came into the limelight when he killed a veteran forest guard, Rampal Saini, on May 8, 2015. This was not the first reported attack of Ustad; he had earlier also been charged of killing two villagers in July 2010 and March 2012 respectively, and another forest guard in October 2012.

Tigers are usually shy of humans and avoid confrontation with them unless harmed but the case of T-24 was a bit different. As per the villagers residing in the vicinity of the Tiger Reserve, Ustad had grown violent and aggressive over the past few years.

Facing the protests from villagers and other forest guards patrolling the territory of T-24, Ustad was moved to Sajjangarh Biological Park in Udaipur on May 16, 2015. Located at a distance of 400 km from the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve and away from human settlements, at the biological park, Ustad was confined to a natural enclosure spread over an area of less than a hectare.

With his unmatched appeal and swagger, Ustad had undoubtedly raised a huge fan following for himself. Candle marches and rallies in support of T-24 spread his story in international media. International broadcast networks like BBC and Al Jazeera covered his entire story which brought global fame to Ustad.

The Jaipur High Court, on 28th May 2015, came to the final decision that the removal of Tiger T-24 to Sajjangarh Zoo in Udaipur was legal. Activists, however, continue to fight the case legally. He continues to stay in Sajjangarh Zoo in Udaipur for now.