Punch, a seven-month-old Japanese macaque at Ichikawa Zoo in Japan, has captured global attention after videos of him being rejected by his mother and bullied by other monkeys went viral. Zookeepers introduced a stuffed orangutan toy to provide comfort after the infant monkey was abandoned.
Without maternal guidance, Punch has been filmed being dragged and chased by older macaques, clutching his toy tightly while being harassed. Although a brief moment of grooming by another monkey offered relief, new footage showed Punch being aggressively dragged in a circle before hiding behind a rock with his toy.
Experts suggest that maternal abandonment in monkeys is unusual but can occur due to factors such as inexperience or environmental stress. Alison Behie, a primatology expert at Australian National University, noted that Punch's mother was a first-time mother and that a heatwave may have contributed to a high-stress environment, leading her to prioritise her own health over the infant's care.
Zookeeper Kosuke Shikano explained that the stuffed toy was introduced to help Punch develop muscle strength and a sense of security, as baby macaques typically cling to their mothers. The toy, resembling a monkey, was chosen to potentially aid Punch's integration into the troop later on.
Behie clarified that the aggression from other monkeys is normal social interaction within the strict matrilineal hierarchy of Japanese macaques. However, without his mother, Punch may struggle to learn appropriate subordinate responses, which could affect his integration as an adult.
The zoo has seen a surge in visitors hoping to see Punch, prompting stricter barriers and rules to minimise disturbance. Conservation psychologist Carla Litchfield highlighted the broader implications of Punch's story, including habitat loss, climate change, and the risks of social media driving demand for exotic pets, emphasising that monkeys belong with their own species.
