A Japanese zoo has denied claims that a baby monkey named Punch, who became an internet sensation, is being bullied by other monkeys, insisting that the behaviour is natural discipline within the troop.
Punch, a seven-month-old Japanese macaque, was abandoned by his mother and gained global attention after being seen clinging to a plush orangutan toy from IKEA at the Ichikawa City Zoo near Tokyo. Videos showing him being chased by other monkeys sparked concerns online, leading the zoo to issue a statement on 10 March.
The zoo explained that Japanese macaques live in a strict hierarchical society where dominant individuals show 'disciplining actions' toward subordinates, which differs from human abuse. It noted that Punch spends most of the day peacefully and that the number of monkeys caring for him is increasing.
As a temporary measure, the zoo removed a few high-ranking macaques that showed more frequent aggression on 8 March. The zoo stated there is no evidence that Punch has been attacked in a way threatening his survival, and it has no intention of altering care for profit.
Animal rights group PETA criticised the situation, arguing it shows the cruelty of zoos. PETA's Asia president, Jason Baker, said zoos are not sanctuaries but places where animals are confined and denied natural social lives, and that internet fame fuels a cycle of breeding for ticket sales.
