Chiyaan Vikram's Monkey Reel Triggers Wildlife Probe in Tamil Nadu

Chiyaan Vikram, who continues to be a prominent face in South Indian cinema, has found himself at the centre of an unusual controversy. The buzz suggests that a recent Instagram reel featuring Vikram playing with a Lar gibbon has caught the attention of wildlife authorities in Tamil Nadu. The now-deleted video reportedly showed the actor hugging and interacting with the exotic primate, sparking a flurry of questions about the animal's origins and legal status.

As per sources, the Lar gibbon is owned by businessman CK Ranganathan, who is Vikram’s daughter’s father-in-law. Reports indicate that the animal was brought from Manipur to Erode in June, following its purchase by Ranganathan. The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has now launched an official inquiry to verify the documentation and legality of the gibbon's possession. Officials are said to be checking whether the necessary permits and clearances are in place, with a forest ranger tasked to trace the animal’s journey and confirm its origin.

The Lar gibbon, or Hylobates lar, is a protected species under both CITES Appendix I and India’s Wildlife Protection Act. Wildlife activists have reportedly raised concerns about the risks of keeping such animals as pets, and some have questioned whether the gibbon could have entered Tamil Nadu through illegal channels. However, there is no confirmation yet of any law being broken by Vikram himself, as the current focus remains on the animal’s ownership and documentation.

With the Forest Department’s probe underway and Vikram’s reel already deleted, the industry grapevine has it that this story is far from over. All eyes are now on the outcome of the investigation and whether it will set a precedent for celebrity interactions with exotic wildlife.