A deleted video of Tamil actor Vikram petting and hugging a Lar Gibbon has triggered an investigation by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department into how the endangered animal entered India. The video, which the actor posted on social media, prompted authorities to inspect a farm in Erode owned by K. Keshavanathan, who has been asked to produce documents related to the gibbon. Forest department sources said the trail of the Lar Gibbons can be traced to Erode and, before that, to Manipur. The inquiry is focused on the animal's origins and whether it was held illegally. Lar Gibbons are a protected species, and their possession and transport are regulated under Indian wildlife laws. The actor's video, which showed him interacting closely with the animal, was widely circulated before being removed. Forest officials are investigating how the gibbon came to be in the farm and whether any legal provisions were violated. The case has drawn attention to the trade and keeping of endangered wildlife, with the department now verifying the documentation and chain of custody for the animal. No arrests have been reported so far. The investigation is ongoing.