Tamil Nadu authorities probe possession of exotic lar gibbon

The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has launched an investigation into the possession of a lar gibbon following a viral video posted by actor Vikram. The primate, native to Southeast Asia, was filmed at a private residence in Injambakkam, Chennai, belonging to Vikram’s relatives.

The lar gibbon (Hylobates lar) is a threatened species protected under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and is classified as a Schedule IV animal under India’s Wildlife Protection Act. Possession of such an exotic animal requires strict documentation regarding its acquisition, import, and registration.

Preliminary records suggest a potential trail for the animal, tracing from Malaysia to Manipur, then to Erode, and finally to Chennai. Documentation indicates a transfer involving CK Ranganathan, owner of the CavinKare brand, intended for keeping the animals as pets. However, the necessary Form-I filings for these transfers remain pending approval by the Chief Wildlife Warden of Tamil Nadu. Authorities, including the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, are working to verify the animal's legal origin and whether all statutory requirements for its transfer and possession have been met.