The Lar Gibbon in Chiyaan Vikram’s video is endangered—here’s why that matters

The actor Chiyaan Vikram has sparked a wildlife controversy after a video surfaced showing him interacting with a Lar Gibbon, an endangered primate native to Southeast Asia. The video, later deleted, raised concerns about the acquisition of the animal, whether it had proper documentation and permissions, and the legality of keeping such a protected species in a private setting. The controversy also drew attention to businessman CK Ranganathan, Vikram's daughter's father-in-law, who is alleged to have possessed the animal.

Lar Gibbons are protected due to their endangered status and highly specialized lifestyle. Classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and listed under Appendix I of CITES, they are strictly protected by international and domestic wildlife laws in India. Despite their exotic appeal, their specialized habitat requirements make them unsuitable as pets.

Ghorpade, a wildlife photographer and environmentalist, emphasized that Lar Gibbons are highly agile and vocal, adapted solely to life in complex forest canopies. They cannot thrive outside their natural environment, posing significant challenges for responsible treatment as pets.

The immediate focus should be on investigating how the animal entered India and whether all legal procedures were followed during its import. Any investigation must establish the animal's origin, how it entered the country, and whether the requisite documentation and permissions exist. The debate surrounding exotic wildlife ownership underscores the importance of prioritizing conservation efforts over private possession, ensuring that wild animals, including endangered species like the Lar Gibbon, receive the specialized care and habitat they require in the wild.