Maya (T-12): Tigress of Tadoba — Life, Lineage & Status
Quick Answer
Maya (T-12) is a tigress of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra. Status: missing since August 2023; presumed dead. Historically associated with the Pandharpauni area. Maya became one of Tadoba’s most recognised tigers through repeated, documented sightings.
- Identifier
- T-12
- Sex
- Female
- Record period
- Born c. 2010 · last seen August 2023
- Current status
- Missing since August 2023; presumed dead
Highlights
- The official Tadoba Diaries associates Maya with an M-shaped marking on her neck and the identifier T-12.
- Published official material records four litters and 12 cubs by March 2022.
- Historically associated with the Pandharpauni area.
- Her record demonstrates how a known individual can build public interest in a protected landscape while also creating a need for careful, time-stamped reporting.
Lead photo: Maya, as identified by the photographer on Wikimedia Commons. Other photos show Tadoba tigers.
Who Is Maya?
The official Tadoba Diaries associates Maya with an M-shaped marking on her neck and the identifier T-12.
Tigers are recognised individually by their stripe patterns, which are as unique as fingerprints. Nicknames used by guides and visitors may differ from formal codes, so this page states which source each identifier comes from.
Maya: Timeline of Key Events
Dated events in Maya's life, from official reserve publications and dated news reports.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| c. 2010 | Born in Tadoba-Andhari and orphaned young (per her 2026 biography). |
| March 2022 | Official Tadoba Diaries records four litters and 12 cubs. |
| August 2023 | Last seen by patrol staff in the Panchdhara area near Tadoba Lake; foot patrols and combing begin. |
| November 2023 | Decomposed tiger remains found in compartment 82 of Tadoba beat; DNA samples sent for testing. No result has been published. |
| April 2026 | HarperCollins publishes “Maya: The Biography of a Tiger” by Anant Sonawane, the reserve’s communications officer. |
Maya's Family and Cubs
Published official material records four litters and 12 cubs by March 2022. Individual parentage and cub survival should be stated only from dated monitoring records.
Relationships are described as verified only when an official record supports them; otherwise they are labelled as attributed.
Where Did Maya Live in Tadoba?
Historically associated with the Pandharpauni area. This is a historical landscape description, not live tracking information.
Tiger territories shift with age, competition, breeding and water. A historical range is not present-day sighting advice, and Wild Excursions does not publish live locations.
Maya's Life Story
Maya became one of Tadoba’s most recognised tigers through repeated, documented sightings. Her public reputation should be separated from verifiable life events.
Is Maya Alive? Current Status
Status: Missing since August 2023; presumed dead. This wording changes only when an official or otherwise authoritative dated record supports it.
Useful evidence includes forest-department statements, camera-trap identity records, post-mortem or rescue reports and dated, credited photographs.
Why Maya Matters
Her record demonstrates how a known individual can build public interest in a protected landscape while also creating a need for careful, time-stamped reporting.
Individual stories build public support for conservation, but the reserve protects a population, its prey and connected habitat — not celebrity animals alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Maya's ID in Tadoba?
T-12. The official Tadoba Diaries associates Maya with an M-shaped marking on her neck and the identifier T-12.
Is Maya still alive?
Missing since August 2023; presumed dead.
Where was Maya seen in Tadoba?
Historically associated with the Pandharpauni area. This is a historical landscape description, not live tracking information. This page does not publish live locations.
Who are Maya's parents or cubs?
Published official material records four litters and 12 cubs by March 2022. Individual parentage and cub survival should be stated only from dated monitoring records.
Can I see Maya on a Tadoba safari?
No individual tiger can be guaranteed on a safari. Routes are allocated by the forest department and tigresses move freely; book drives across zones for the best overall odds.
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Sources & References
Facts on wildlife and visitor access can change. These are the principal references for this page; always confirm current permits and rules with the responsible forest department.
Photo Credits
Photos without a credit below are by Wild Excursions. The rest come from Wikimedia Commons under the licences shown.
- Tigress Maya (T-12) walking through green grass in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve — Bobwca2017, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Tigress Maya and her three cubs near Telia lake, Tadoba — Parag.naik, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Tiger almost hidden in tall golden grass in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve — Eeshan Sonak, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Bengal tigress with her cub at the edge of tall grass in Tadoba — Rohit Sharma, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Young Bengal tigress playing with her sibling in Tadoba — AJAY CHANDWANI, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Radio-collared tigress cooling off in water in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve — PR Ganapathy, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Wide view of the largest lake in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve under a clear sky — Aashay25, CC BY-SA 4.0
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