Indian actor’s video with endangered gibbon sparks investigation
A video posted by a Tamil film star showing him cuddling an endangered gibbon has triggered an investigation by Indian wildlife officials over how he came into contact with the animal.
A video uploaded by Tamil film actor Vikram showing him playing and cuddling an endangered gibbon has sparked an investigation by Indian wildlife officials. The actor, whose real name is Kennedy John Victor, was seen hugging and playing with a lar gibbon in a now-deleted Instagram post on Monday. The state's forest department is probing the origins and legality of the gibbon's possession, as well as whether the required permits and documentation were followed.
Lar gibbons are small, endangered apes native to Southeast Asia whose trade is tightly regulated. Vikram, a prominent actor in Tamil cinema, has not addressed the controversy. The animals were reportedly kept at a relative's home in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and were initially registered in Manipur, a state in the northeastern part of India.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
