3 weeks ago
Chiyaan Vikram Lar Gibbon Video Sparks Controversy; Forest Officials Probe
A very famous actor from India named Chiyaan Vikram shared a video of himself playing with a cute animal called a Lar Gibbon.
A Lar Gibbon is a wild, monkey-like animal that belongs in the rainforests of Southeast Asia, such as Indonesia.
At first, fans thought the video was adorable and heartwarming.
But a journalist said it is illegal to keep a Lar Gibbon as a pet and that the animal may have been smuggled into India.
Special rules called CITES and India's Wildlife Protection Act protect animals like the Lar Gibbon from being captured or traded.
To keep such an animal, someone needs special papers and permission.
Wildlife officials in Tamil Nadu, helped by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, are now investigating where the gibbon came from.
A forest ranger will be sent to check whether the owner has the right documents.
The actor deleted the video, but experts say sharing such clips can encourage people to buy wild animals, which is bad for them.
Chiyaan Vikram's video with a Lar Gibbon went viral, initially drawing praise from fans as a heartwarming moment.
Journalist Siddarth Prabhakar claimed keeping a Lar Gibbon as a pet is illegal and that the Tamil Nadu wildlife department has initiated action.
Prabhakar alleged the gibbon was trafficked from South-east Asia to Manipur to Erode and then to CK Ranganathan's place in Chennai, which he said was a farm house in ECR.
Chennai Wildlife Warden Kulal Yogesh Vilas said a forest ranger will verify the gibbon's origin and documents, with the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau assisting.
The video, reportedly shot at a residence in Injambakkam, was deleted by Vikram; activist Shravan Krishnan said celebrity posts fuel illegal wildlife trade.
- Who
- Actor Chiyaan Vikram; CK Ranganathan, Founder Chairman of CavinKare and father of Vikram's son-in-law; Chennai Wildlife Warden Kulal Yogesh Vilas; journalist Siddarth Prabhakar; and activist Shravan Krishnan.
- What
- A viral video of Vikram playing with a Lar Gibbon (Hylobates lar), a protected endangered primate, triggered a controversy and a wildlife investigation over the animal's allegedly illegal possession and origin.
- Where
- India; the video was reportedly shot at a residence in Injambakkam, south Chennai, and the gibbon was allegedly trafficked from South-east Asia via Manipur and Erode to Chennai.
- When
- Around August 9-10, 2026, when the video circulated and officials responded.
- Why
- The Lar Gibbon is listed under CITES Appendix I and Schedule IV of India's Wildlife Protection Act, so possessing it lawfully requires valid documents; officials are checking whether the animal was imported illegally.
Wildlife activists and critics
Fans and supporters
Keeping the Lar Gibbon as a pet
Wildlife activists and critics
Possession is illegal and the gibbon was allegedly trafficked from Southeast Asia, where poachers may have killed its parents; the Tamil Nadu wildlife department has initiated action.
Fans and supporters
Fans initially praised the interaction as 'adorable' and 'truly heartwarming,' focusing on the cute moment Vikram shared rather than its legality.
Enforcement of wildlife laws
Wildlife activists and critics
Some users commented that laws in India 'often don't apply to the rich,' questioning whether wealthy individuals involved will face consequences.
Fans and supporters
Officials said a forest ranger would verify documents and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau is assisting, indicating that legal procedures are underway regardless.
Key facts
- Actor
- Chiyaan Vikram
- Animal
- Lar Gibbon (Hylobates lar), native to Southeast Asia, about 2-3 years old
- Legal status
- CITES Appendix I; Schedule IV under Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022; IUCN Red List endangered
- Other person involved
- CK Ranganathan, Founder Chairman of CavinKare and father of Vikram's son-in-law
- Alleged trafficking route
- South-east Asia → Manipur → Erode → Chennai
- Reported video location
- A residence in Injambakkam, south Chennai; journalist said CK Ranganathan's farm house in ECR
- Officials probing
- Chennai Wildlife Warden Kulal Yogesh Vilas; Wildlife Crime Control Bureau
- Action taken
- Forest ranger to be sent to verify documents; Vikram deleted the Instagram post
Quotes
Chennai Wildlife Warden Kulal Yogesh Vilas
Chief wildlife warden in Chennai, overseeing investigations into wildlife protection violations
“It’s a very unfortunate incident. Everyone only looks at the cute juvenile gibbon, but most don’t know what happens behind the scenes. Most likely, this Gibbon would have been trafficked from Southeast Asia, where poachers would have most likely killed the parents and smuggled the baby.”
indianexpress.com
“If the possession of lar gibbons may not, in itself, be an offence, it is only possible with adequate official permissions and documents.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
Wildlife Officials Probe Origin of Lar Gibbon in Actor Vikram's Video
Chiyaan Vikram in legal trouble over Lar gibbon video? Wildlife department launches probe
'It's Illegal To Have It As Pet': Chiyaan Vikram's Lar Gibbon Video Sparks Controversy; Animal Activists Raise Wildlife Concerns- WATCH
Trouble for Vikram after viral lar gibbon video sparks row; Forest Department to probe
Related news
Vikram Faces Wildlife Scrutiny Over Lar Gibbon Video
Vikram's Lar Gibbon Video Sparks Wildlife Scrutiny, Forest Probe
Vikram's viral Lar Gibbon video triggers wildlife possession probe
Vikram's Lar Gibbon Controversy Deepens As One Dies, Pair Returned
Actor Vikram's Lar Gibbon Video Sparks Wildlife Smuggling Warning
Bihar Warns Against Unknown Fish Carried By Nepal Floodwaters
Rare Sharp-Tailed Sandpiper Spotted at Najafgarh in Fifth Indian Record
UNCCD CoP 17 Highlights Grassland Restoration and Drought Resilience
Ecologists Seek Marine National Parks Along Andhra Pradesh Coast
Perungulam Wetland Moves Toward Ramsar Recognition in Tamil Nadu
