Chiyaan Vikram Deletes Reel With Pet Lar Gibbon After Backlash, Tamil Nadu Forest Department Steps in Over Wildlife Concerns
Chiyaan Vikram deleted his Instagram video with a Lar Gibbon, an endangered exotic animal, after public outrage and a wildlife probe by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department. The animal reportedly belongs to his daughter's father-in-law, CK Ranganathan, whose ownership legality is under scrutiny.
Chennai, August 11, 2026 – Superstar Chiyaan Vikram has found himself embroiled in a fresh controversy after sharing and swiftly deleting an Instagram reel that depicted him interacting playfully with a Lar Gibbon, an exotic primate. The video, posted on Sunday, August 9, 2026, quickly went viral but also sparked outrage among wildlife activists and the public, leading to an official investigation by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department. Anupama Parameswaran-Dhruv Vikram Breakup Rumours: Did ‘Bison’ Actress Just Confirm the Split in Cryptic Post?.
The now-deleted clip, which showed Vikram cuddling and playing with the animal, drew immediate scrutiny due to the Lar Gibbon's status as an endangered species protected under both international and Indian wildlife laws.
Chiyaan Vikram Caught in Wildlife Controversy Over Video With Pet Monkey
The animal in question, a Lar Gibbon, is native to Southeast Asia and is listed under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which mandates strict controls on its international trade. Furthermore, it is also protected under Schedule IV of India's Wildlife Protection Act. Keeping such an exotic animal as a pet in India is subject to specific legal provisions concerning possession, registration, and transfer, which, if not adhered to, can raise serious legal concerns.
Now-Deleted Viral Video of Chiyaan Vikram With
Ownership Under Scrutiny
Reports indicate that the Lar Gibbon belongs to businessman CK Ranganathan, the Founder-Chairman of CavinKare, who is also Chiyaan Vikram's daughter Akshita's father-in-law. The video was reportedly filmed at Ranganathan's farmhouse on the East Coast Road in Chennai. While Ranganathan is said to have officially purchased the monkey, which was reportedly brought from Manipur to Erode in Tamil Nadu in June, sources suggest he may lack the necessary clearance documents for its possession.
Forest Department Initiates Probe
The outcry prompted the Tamil Nadu Forest Department to launch an inquiry into the legality of the Lar Gibbon's ownership and its origin. Chennai Wildlife Warden Kulal Yogesh Vilas reportedly met with CK Ranganathan at his home after the video's deletion, informing him of the ongoing investigation. Wildlife activists, including journalist Siddarth Prabhakar, have alleged potential trafficking of the animal from Southeast Asia.
Vikram's Swift Action, Silence Follows
Chiyaan Vikram deleted the Instagram reel within 24 hours of its posting on Sunday, August 9, 2026, indicating an awareness of the brewing controversy. As of Tuesday, August 11, 2026, the actor has not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident. The investigation is still underway, and no confirmed finding of wrongdoing has been officially established against Vikram or Ranganathan. ‘Bison Kaalamaadan’ Pre-Release Event: Dhruv Vikram Reveals How Thinking of Father Vikram Inspires His Intense Performances.
This incident highlights the increasing scrutiny celebrities face regarding exotic animal ownership and the stringent regulations governing such practices in India.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 11, 2026 03:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).