A court in Perundurai has dismissed a Forest Department petition seeking to shift 11 exotic animals seized from a farmhouse to a zoo and permitted farm owner S.K. Keshavanathan, 53, to retain interim custody of the animals, subject to several conditions.

The animals comprise two Lar gibbons — one male and one female; seven serval cats — two adult males, two adult females, and three kittens (one male and two females); and two tufted capuchins — one male and one female.

In an order issued on Thursday (September 3, 2026), a copy of which was made available on Friday (September 4), Judicial Magistrate N. Moorthy directed Mr. Keshavanathan to furnish a surety bond undertaking to surrender the animals if ordered by the court or an appellate court. He was also restrained from selling, gifting, transferring, relocating, or transferring ownership of the animals to any other person.

The Forest Department has been permitted to periodically inspect the animals at the place where they are housed and verify their number, identity, health, and location. Mr. Keshavanathan was also directed to have their health and welfare examined every month by a qualified veterinarian and submit a report to the court.

The court further ordered that if the animals were found to have been illegally acquired, or if Mr. Keshavanathan was found to be involved in illegal wildlife trade, the Forest Department could take steps to transfer them to the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur.

Mr. Keshavanathan was also directed to immediately inform the jurisdictional forest officer about the birth or death of any of the animals and submit a report, along with the relevant documents, to the court.

What is the case about?

The case followed the circulation of a video showing actor Vikram with a Lar gibbon. The Forest Department subsequently inspected Mr. Keshavanathan’s farmhouse and conducted an inquiry into the possession and movement of the animal. The inquiry led to the seizure of 11 exotic animals, comprising the two Lar gibbons, seven several cats and two tufted capuchins.

The Erode Forest Division subsequently registered a case against Mr. Keshavanathan under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and the rules governing the possession and registration of live animal species, alleging violations relating to the possession and transfer of exotic species, for delayed registration and failure to report the death of a Lar gibbon.

The animals remained at the farmhouse under the watch of Forest Department officials. The department later approached the court seeking permission to shift them to the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur. The court, however, dismissed the petition and allowed Mr. Keshavanathan to retain interim custody, subject to the conditions imposed.