Abandoned Baby Macaque ‘Punch’ Faces Bullying, Finds Comfort in Stuffed Toy
- Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan is experiencing an unexpected surge in visitors, all drawn by the story of Punch, a seven-month-old macaque who has captured hearts worldwide.
- Punch’s story took a poignant turn recently, as footage emerged showing him being ostracized by other young macaques within the zoo enclosure.
- The zoo responded to the circulating footage on February 19, 2026, explaining that Punch had attempted to interact with another baby macaque, but was rebuffed.
Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan is experiencing an unexpected surge in visitors, all drawn by the story of Punch, a seven-month-old macaque who has captured hearts worldwide. The young monkey, abandoned by his mother shortly after birth, has found solace in a plush orangutan toy, which he carries with him constantly.
Punch’s story took a poignant turn recently, as footage emerged showing him being ostracized by other young macaques within the zoo enclosure. A video, shared by TikTok user @tate_punch, depicted Punch being dragged across the ground by a larger macaque. Following the interaction, the visibly distressed monkey sought comfort in his orangutan plushie, while other macaques approached to observe.
The zoo responded to the circulating footage on , explaining that Punch had attempted to interact with another baby macaque, but was rebuffed. According to the zoo’s statement, the adult macaque that intervened was likely the mother of the other infant, acting to protect her offspring. “She probably felt that her baby was annoyed by Punch and got upset, expressing ‘don’t be mean,’” the zoo explained.
Despite the initial difficulties, zoo officials emphasize that Punch has been “scolded by other monkeys many times in the past and has learned how to socialize with them.” They noted that the incident captured on video was not unusual and that Punch quickly resumed interacting with other members of the troop after briefly seeking comfort in his toy.
Born on , Punch was raised by zoo staff after being abandoned by his mother. He was introduced to the larger macaque troop on . The zoo anticipated that integrating Punch into the established social hierarchy would present challenges, and they are closely monitoring his progress.
“Although Punch has been scolded many times by other monkeys, no single monkey has shown serious aggression towards him,” the zoo stated. They urged visitors to view the interactions as part of Punch’s learning process, and to “support Punch’s effort rather than feel sorry for him.”
The increased attention surrounding Punch has led to unusually large crowds at Ichikawa City Zoo. On , zoo officials acknowledged being “surprised by the unexpected turnout, something we have never experienced before,” and apologized for the resulting delays. The zoo has not immediately responded to requests for further comment.
The story of Punch resonates with a wider narrative of animal companionship and the search for comfort in times of distress. His attachment to the orangutan plushie has struck a chord with audiences globally, highlighting the emotional complexity of even the youngest animals. The situation also offers a glimpse into the intricate social dynamics of macaque troops, where establishing a place within the hierarchy requires navigating complex interactions and learning the group’s rules.
While the initial videos sparked concern for Punch’s well-being, the zoo’s response and subsequent observations suggest that he is adapting to his new environment and learning to navigate the social landscape of the macaque troop. The ongoing story of Punch continues to draw attention to the importance of animal welfare and the often-overlooked emotional lives of animals in captivity.