Actor Vikram’s pet gibbon video sparks wildlife law scrutiny

Actor Vikram’s recent social-media reel featuring a lar gibbon has ignited a backlash from wildlife advocates, who argue the primate is a protected, endangered species. The lar gibbon falls under Appendix I of CITES and is classified as a Schedule IV animal under India’s amended Wildlife Protection Act, making private ownership illegal without proper permits. Deputy director V Thenmozhi of the wildlife crime control bureau (southern region) stated that whenever such incidents arise, officials consult state wildlife authorities to examine the owner’s paperwork and determine the animal’s provenance.

Chennai wildlife warden Kulal Yogesh Vilas added that a forest ranger will be sent to inspect the gibbon’s acquisition records. Conservationists highlighted that wild lar gibbons are often poached by killing mothers, sometimes leading to whole family removals, and that confinement in cages disrupts their natural arboreal behavior. The incident underscores ongoing illegal trade of this primate across India.