In brief
Tamil film star Vikram's Instagram video of him cuddling a lar gibbon has triggered a wildlife inquiry in India. Forest officials are investigating how the endangered primate ended up at a private home and whether CITES‑related permits were secured. The case highlights growing concerns over illegal exotic animal trade and the enforcement of wildlife protection laws across states from Manipur to Tamil Nadu.
Playback of a short clip posted by Tamil Nadu film star Vikram, in which the actor was seen cuddling a lar gibbon, was deleted from his Instagram account within hours of being shared. The footage, which has now been archived by news outlets, sparked an inquiry by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department into how the endangered primate was transferred to a private property.
The Gibbon’s Path From Manipur to Chennai
Officials traced the gibbon’s journey back more than 2,000 km to the north‑eastern state of Manipur, where a record on the national regulatory portal called PARIVESH indicates the animal was declared by a local man in 2020. The portal lists Malaysia as the country of origin, and the subsequent transfers in June and August involved movements from Perundurai in Erode district to a relative of Vikram in Chennai. However, the necessary permits required for moving CITES‑protected species are still pending verification.
Legal and Conservation Context
Lar gibbons are small apes native to Southeast Asia and are listed as endangered under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). In India, possession of such animals is prohibited unless a registered permit and no‑objection certificate from wildlife authorities are obtained. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has joined the investigation to confirm whether all international and domestic animal movement rules were observed.
Broader Implications for the Exotic Animal Trade
The case comes amid a surge of customs raids in 2025 and 2026, where hundreds of exotic animals—including gibbons—were intercepted at Mumbai and Pune airports, and dozens brought in by passengers from Bangkok. Chennai itself has seen related seizures, prompting authorities to focus more closely on border states such as Manipur, which border Myanmar, a known corridor for illegal wildlife trafficking.
Vikram has yet to issue a statement on the controversy. His public relations officer said that the media would be informed if the actor chose to comment. The investigation remains ongoing, and officials have yet to determine whether the gibbons were legally acquired or illegal stray.
