Now Reading: Vikram’s deleted video triggers probe into Lar Gibbon possession
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Vikram’s deleted video triggers probe into Lar Gibbon possession
Tamil Nadu forest officials are investigating the possession and movement of endangered Lar Gibbons after a deleted video showed actor Vikram cuddling one. Three gibbons were reportedly moved from Manipur to a…
The Story in Brief
Tamil Nadu forest officials are investigating the possession and movement of endangered Lar Gibbons after a deleted video showed actor Vikram cuddling one. Three gibbons were reportedly moved from Manipur to a farm in Erode and then to Chennai businessman C.K. Ranganathan’s residence. One female gibbon died, allegedly unreported as required under the Living Animal Species Rules, 2024.
The Erode District Forest Officer has asked farm owner S.K. Keshavanathan to produce registration documents by August 14. The application for registration was made over two months after the animals arrived. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau is also inspecting the farm. The two surviving gibbons may be seized. Officials are examining whether all statutory requirements under the Wildlife Protection Act were followed.
The Indian Opinion
The uproar over a celebrity cuddling a gibbon risks being lost in two familiar camps: those who see a witch-hunt and those who demand exemplary punishment. Neither helps. The law is clear: Schedule IV animals require registration and death must be reported. The farm owner applied two months late, and one animal died without a post-mortem. The real test is not Vikram’s fame but whether the registration documents satisfy the Forest Department by August 14 and whether the missing female gibbon’s death is explained.
Sources (3): nationalheraldindia.com, thehindu.com, thehindu.com (2)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 3 sources.
