Monkeying Around? Popular Tamil Star Vikram Gets Into Trouble With Forest Authorities

Famous film stars have a penchant for unique collectibles. Rare cars, precious watches, famous wardrobe memorabilia and many more. Imagine having boasting rights for Judy Garland’s Ruby Slippers from the Wizard of Oz, Marilyn Monroe’s white subway dream that swept up many a fantasy, Daniel Radcliffe and his Magic wand and glasses from the Harry Potter winner and a host of collectibles. Ah, we overlooked endangered animal species too. Recently a viral video of actor popular Tamil star Vikram cuddling and imitating a baby Lar Gibbon ape went viral; it woke up the Tamil Nadu Forest Department’s attention. Hey isn’t that a Lar Gibbon cuddly ape baby? How did it land in Vikram’s lap and other such questions flew in the media? Not that such earlier incidents were swept under the rain forest carpet…remember Salman Khan and the Black Buck controversy? Vikram was quickly issued a notice: Where did he procure this Lar Gibbon? These unique apes (they are not monkeys) have suffered and slipped into that coveted status …endangered due to lack of suitable forest habitat and illegal poaching to feed just such an illegal pet trade. The investigation led the law to an animal farm in Perundurai, Erode, alleged to be owned by Kesavanathan who had brought this Gibbon from Manipur without the required papers. The Forest Dept found that another baby Gibbon had died in the farm and it was not reported. Vikram has been issued notice ..that he should present himself at the investigating office no later than three days or else. Endangered animal collectibles…they draw the Rich and Famous like magnets.