Actor Vikram’s Gibbon Video Sparks Wildlife Investigation

The popular Tamil film star, known for his physically demanding roles, posted a short clip of himself holding a lar gibbon on Instagram on Monday, only for it to be deleted within hours. The footage immediately attracted attention, prompting the Tamil Nadu forest department to launch an inquiry into the animal’s origins and whether proper permits were obtained.

A lar gibbon, a small ape native to Southeast Asia, is listed as endangered and protected under CITES. Under Indian wildlife law, owners must register such animals with the forest department and secure necessary documents, including a DGFT permit and a no‑objection certificate.

Investigators traced the gibbon to a relative of Vikram in Chennai, but records suggest the animal was initially transferred from Manipur to Tamil Nadu in June of the same year, possibly for adoption. However, the paperwork for the move from Manipur—bordering Myanmar—has yet to be verified, raising questions about its import route.

Tamil Nadu’s Chief Wildlife Warden Rakesh Kumar Dogra confirmed that authorities have not concluded the gibbon was trafficked but are scrutinizing every step of its journey, from transfer to possession, to ensure compliance with CITES and national laws. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has also been asked to review the case and take further action if necessary.

The incident comes amid rising reports of exotic animals—such as reptiles and primates—being smuggled into Indian airports from Southeast Asia, with recent seizures at Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru highlighting the scale of the problem. As the investigation continues, no public statement from Vikram has been issued, only a pledge that any comments will be broadcast through his PR officer.