In brief
Tamil film star Vikram was filmed cuddling a lar gibbon in a clip that was later deleted from Instagram. The incident triggered a probe by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department into how the animal was kept in his relative's home, and whether import regulations were respected. Investigators traced the gibbons’ journey from Manipur to Tamil Nadu, but have yet to confirm that proper permits were obtained at every stage. The case underscores growing concerns over the illegal trade of exotic species into India.
Vikram Under Scrutiny After Gibbon Clip Erupts
Tamil Nadu actor Vikram—real name Kennedy John Victor—was seen hugging a lar gibbon in a short Instagram video that was removed within hours. The clip quickly spread online, prompting media outlets to speculate that the primate was the actor’s new pet.
The Tamil Nadu Forest Department began an investigation to determine how the endangered gibbon was housed in a relative’s Chennai home and whether the wildlife authorities’ regulations on possession and transfer were adhered to. Initial inquiries have not confirmed that the gibbon was trafficked, nor that Vikram owned it or facilitated its import into India.
Lar gibbons (Simias spp.) are small apes native to Southeast Asia and are protected under CITES, making their international trade tightly regulated. If the animal was imported, it would need a DGFT permit, a no‑objection certificate, and a wildlife conservator’s certificate.
Investigators have traced the gibbons’ route back to Manipur, where a Manipur‑based individual had declared possession of eight lar gibbons—four males and four females—on the government portal PARIVESH in 2020. The portal listed Malaysia as the animals’ country of origin.
Records indicate that on 5 July, three gibbons were transferred from Manipur to a person in Perundurai, Tamil Nadu, for adoption. A month later, two gibbons were moved from Perundurai to Vikram’s relative in Chennai, according to the forest department’s investigation.
The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has joined the inquiry, asking local officials to verify documentation and take appropriate action if the CITES rules were violated.
The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of the illegal trade of exotic animals into India. Over recent years, customs officials have intercepted numerous live reptiles, birds, and primates arriving from Southeast Asia on various flights.
