A video posted by Tamil film star Vikram, showing him holding and playing with a lar gibbon, was quickly deleted from his Instagram account after it sparked outrage on social media.
The image prompted the Tamil Nadu Forest Department to launch an investigation into how the tree‑climbing ape was brought into the country and whether the necessary permits for holding a CITES‑listed species were obtained.
The lar gibbon, native to parts of South‑East Asia and protected by international law, was reportedly kept at the home of a relative of Vikram in Chennai. Official records from Manipur’s PARIVESH portal show that the animal was originally declared there in 2020, with Malaysia cited as the country of origin.
From Manipur, the gibbon was transferred in June 2026 to Perundurai in Tamil Nadu’s Erode district for “adoption.” Two months later, it moved again to Vikram’s relative’s residence in Chennai, but wildlife officials have not yet confirmed that all required documentation was in place at each transfer.
The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has entered the investigation, urging local authorities to verify the permits and decide whether the animal was obtained illegally. CITES forbids unregistered movement of such animals, and India’s wildlife laws require a DGFT permit, a no‑objection certificate, and a wildlife conservator’s approval for exotic pets.
This case is not isolated; customs officials in Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru have recently seized dozens of exotic animals at airports, a sign of a growing problem with the import of reptiles, birds and primates from Southeast Asia. In February, Chennai customs seized 31 exotic animals, including tortoises, iguanas and snakes, on a single flight from Bangkok.
While Vikram has not yet made a statement, his public relations officer said that a official comment would be issued if the actor released one. The investigation continues to determine whether the lar gibbon was trafficked or legitimately transferred within the bounds of Indian law.
