Actor Vikram’s Gibbon Video Sparks Wildlife Investigation

Sun Sep 06 2026 02:25:31 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Tamil star Vikram shares a clip of cuddling an endangered gibbon, prompting officials to probe whether the animal was illegally brought to India.

A clip uploaded by Tamil film star Vikram showed him playing with a vulnerable lar gibbon, sparking an investigation by wildlife authorities. The animal, officially listed as endangered, was found in a relative’s home in Chennai, but its journey from Manipur raises questions about legal import procedures. Indian laws require permits for CITES-listed species, and officials are checking if these were met. The case highlights broader concerns over illegal exotic animal trade into India, where customs have seized dozens of wildlife pets from traveling passengers.

What Happened

On Monday, actor Vikram posted a short Instagram clip of him hugging a lar gibbon—a small, feather‑faced primate native to Southeast Asia. The video was quickly deleted, but it went viral and raised eyebrows.

Why It Matters

Lar gibbons are protected under the CITES treaty and India’s wildlife laws. Possession or transfer of these animals requires official permits and documentation. Since the gibbon was found in a private home, officials are checking if all legal steps were respected.

The Legal Check

The Tamil Nadu Forest Department is examining records to confirm if the gibbon’s transfer from Manipur to a relative in Chennai complied with export and import rules. The case is now under a federal Wildlife Crime Control Bureau review.

Broader Wildlife Trade Context

This incident follows recent airport seizures of exotic animals coming from Southeast Asia, where customs officials have uncovered reptiles, birds and primates hidden in luggage. The trend shows how easy it is for endangered species to enter the country, often outside legal channels.

Next Steps

Investigators are still compiling evidence. Vikram has yet to release a statement, and authorities have yet to confirm whether the gibbons were trafficked or legally obtained. The public will soon hear more when the case resolves.