A baby macaque named Punch, who became an internet sensation after being abandoned by his mother and finding comfort in a stuffed toy, is set to receive air conditioning at his Japanese zoo as the country's increasingly severe summers take a toll on captive animals.
Funding and Improvements
The city of Ichikawa has allocated 70 million yen (£370,000) in its supplementary budget for 2026 to enhance conditions for Punch and the rest of the macaque troop at the city's zoological and botanical gardens. The improvements include sunshades and a soil area at Monkey Mountain, where Punch resides, as well as an expansion of the backyard where the monkeys rest. Air conditioning is expected to be installed by this summer.
Public donations have partly funded these upgrades. The city launched a donation drive in March and had collected 43 million yen (£228,000) from supporters by late May. After calls to continue the drive, it has been extended through the end of December.
Punch's Story
Punch was born on 26 July 2025 at the zoo during a brutal summer heatwave. His mother, a first-time parent who experienced a difficult and prolonged labour in the heat, abandoned him the following day. Two zookeepers stepped in, bottle-feeding the infant around the clock and providing an oversized stuffed orangutan for warmth and comfort, which he immediately clung to. He was named after the late manga artist Monkey Punch, creator of the Lupin the Third series.
Photos and videos of the little monkey walking with his stuffed toy and clinging to it for warmth went viral, with millions sharing daily updates on his life.
Transition to the Troop
In January this year, zookeepers introduced Punch to the troop of roughly 60 macaques at Monkey Mountain. The transition was challenging for the young monkey, who lacked a maternal figure to model behaviour. Videos of older macaques pushing him away while he quickly returned to his stuffed companion began circulating online.
Impact of Heat on Macaques
Japanese macaques, also known as snow monkeys, are native to Japan and adapted to cold climates, making increasingly brutal summers particularly difficult for them in captivity. Unlike wild animals, those in enclosures cannot seek shade or cooler terrain on their own, leaving zoos to manage the consequences. Extreme heat can stress animals and affect maternal behaviour, especially in first-time parents, according to zoologists.
Polar bears begin to experience heat stress when temperatures rise above 20°C. Goats and pandas feel the effects above 25°C, which can impact their reproductive performance and milk production.
Japan's Intensifying Summers
Japan's summers have been growing more intense in recent years. Tokyo and other parts of the country experienced warmer-than-usual temperatures in mid-May, with temperatures reaching above 35°C ahead of peak summer. In 2024, the Japan Meteorological Agency recorded the highest temperatures for April and July since record-keeping began in 1898, with at least 62 weather observation posts breaking records. The frequency, intensity, and duration of heatwaves are projected to keep rising, according to Japan's International Research Centre for Agricultural Sciences.
