Rahul Gandhi visits Ranthambore, spots Tigress Arrowhead and her cubs

IANS April 10, 2025 305 views

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi embarked on a fascinating wildlife safari in Ranthambore National Park, encountering the famous tigress Arrowhead and her playful cubs. The park holds special significance for the Gandhi family, with Priyanka Gandhi also being a frequent visitor to this wildlife sanctuary. During his morning safari in Zone 2, Gandhi experienced a rare and delightful wildlife moment observing the iconic T-84 tigress. The visit underscores the Gandhi family's long-standing connection with Ranthambore and their appreciation for wildlife conservation.

"Rare opportunity to observe wildlife in their natural habitat" - Rahul Gandhi (Implied)
Rahul Gandhi visits Ranthambore, spots Tigress Arrowhead and her cubs
Jaipur, April 10: Senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, visited the Ranthambore National Park on Thursday morning as part of his Rajasthan tour.

Key Points

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Rahul Gandhi visits Ranthambore during Rajasthan tour

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Spots legendary tigress Arrowhead and her cubs

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Continues family tradition of wildlife appreciation

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Explores Zone 2 of national park

During a safari in Zone 2 of the park, he had the rare opportunity to spot the celebrated tigress, Arrowhead, along with her cubs and was visibly delighted by their playful behaviour in the wild.

Arrowhead, officially designated as T-84, is one of Ranthambore’s most iconic big cats.

Known for the distinctive arrow-shaped mark on her head, she is the granddaughter of the legendary tigress Machli, often referred to as the "Queen of Ranthambore."

Her lineage and frequent sightings have made her a favourite among wildlife enthusiasts and photographers.

Rahul Gandhi arrived in Jaipur from Ahmedabad on Wednesday evening. At the Jaipur International Airport, he was received by Leader of the Opposition in the Rajasthan Assembly Tikaram Jully and Rajasthan Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra.

From there, he travelled by road to Sawai Madhopur, reaching Hotel Sher Bagh near Ranthambore Circle around 10 p.m.

Setting off early on Thursday, Gandhi entered the national park for a morning safari. He spent some time observing Arrowhead and her cubs in their natural habitat.

In a separate sighting, one of the cubs of the tigress Riddhi, was also spotted in the Gular area of Zone 3.

Ranthambore has been a favoured retreat for the Gandhi family over the years. His sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, has frequently visited the national park for wildlife safaris.

In December 2024, shortly after the Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll, she visited Ranthambore along with her husband Robert Vadra, their children Rehan and Miraya Vadra, and her mother-in-law Maureen Vadra. The family stayed at the luxurious Tara Suite at Hotel Sher Bagh.

Priyanka Gandhi has spent several vacations at Ranthambore, including celebrating her birthday there.

During the Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Rahul Gandhi, the family had also stayed at Sher Bagh.

Reader Comments

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Sarah K.
What an incredible experience! Arrowhead is such a majestic tigress 🐅 I hope this visit helps bring more attention to wildlife conservation efforts in India. More politicians should take time to appreciate our natural heritage like this.
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Rahul P.
While I appreciate the focus on wildlife, I wish political leaders would show this same enthusiasm for solving human issues like poverty and unemployment. Conservation is important, but so are people's livelihoods.
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Amit D.
As a wildlife photographer, I've been following Arrowhead's journey for years! Her lineage is truly special. Glad to see high-profile visitors appreciating our national treasures. The cubs must have been adorable to watch!
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Priya M.
The Gandhi family's love for Ranthambore is well-known. I remember reading about Priyanka's visits too. It's nice when public figures take time to connect with nature amidst their busy schedules. Hope they continue supporting conservation efforts!
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Neha T.
The article mentions they stayed at luxury hotels... I wonder how much these visits cost taxpayers? Wildlife appreciation is great, but maybe they could consider more budget-friendly options next time?
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Vikram S.
Machli's legacy continues through Arrowhead! Such an important bloodline for Ranthambore's tiger population. These sightings give me hope for the future of our wildlife. More power to those working to protect these magnificent creatures.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Tags:
Rahul Gandhi Ranthambore Arrowhead Tigress Wildlife Safari Congress Rajasthan Tourism
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