Kollywood actor Vikram who is popular in Telugu states with hits like Sivaputrudu and Aparachitudu has landed in controversy after a video of him interacting with a lar gibbon went viral on social media. The one-minute clip, which has since been deleted, showed the gibbon running around a private property before sitting on the actor's lap and playing with his hair. Vikram was seen smiling as he filmed the interaction.
The video has raised questions over how the animal reached Chennai and whether the required permissions and documents support its possession. According to reports, the lar gibbon, scientifically known as Hylobates lar, is listed under Appendix I of CITES. It is also reportedly classified as a Schedule IV animal under the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022.
Chennai wildlife warden Kulal Yogesh Vilas said that a forest ranger would be sent to the location. The animal’s source, how it was procured and whether the possessor has the necessary documents are expected to be verified.
The clip was reportedly filmed at the actor’s relatives’ residence in Injambakkam, south Chennai. The gibbon is believed to be around two to three years old.
Wildlife activist and Tamil Nadu State Board for Wildlife member Shravan Krishnan described the incident as unfortunate. It was suggested by him that the juvenile gibbon may have been trafficked from Southeast Asia, where its parents could have been killed before the animal was smuggled, added the reports.