Punch the Monkey Dragged and Bullied Again at Japan Zoo After Brief Signs of Friendship (Watch Video)
Punch, a baby macaque who became a global internet sensation for his reliance on a plush toy, is facing renewed social challenges at the Ichikawa City Zoo. Recent footage circulating on social media shows the young monkey being dragged and thrashed by a larger peer, sparking fresh concerns from animal welfare advocates and the public.
Mumbai, February 20: Punch, a baby macaque who became a global internet sensation for his reliance on a plush toy, is facing renewed social challenges at the Ichikawa City Zoo. Recent footage circulating on social media shows the young monkey being dragged and thrashed by a larger peer, sparking fresh concerns from animal welfare advocates and the public. The incident follows a brief period where zoo officials noted signs of Punch successfully integrating with his troop.
Baby Monkey ‘Punch’ Facing Renewed Bullying at Japan Zoo Despite Brief Social Progress
From Solitude to Social Struggles
Punch’s story first went viral in 2025 after he was abandoned by his mother shortly after birth. Weighing only 500 grams at the time, the infant struggled to form bonds with other monkeys and sought solace in a stuffed orangutan doll. Images of the tiny macaque clutching the toy for comfort drew millions of viewers worldwide, highlighting the emotional complexity of animal abandonment. Did a Monkey Save a Rabbit From a Komodo Dragon? Viral Video Is AI-Generated, Reveals Fact Check.
While recent updates from the zoo had suggested that Punch was beginning to socialize and make friends, the latest footage has cast doubt on his safety within the enclosure. In the viral clip, Punch is seen being aggressively handled by a larger monkey before retreating to his plush toy for security.
Public Call for Intervention
The new footage has triggered a wave of criticism directed at zoo management. On platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), viewers expressed frustration over the lack of physical barriers or intervention to protect the vulnerable infant. Maharashtra: Monkey Attends Elderly Woman’s Funeral in Chandrapur, Video Goes Viral.
Commenters have called for the zoo to segregate Punch from aggressive troop members or to provide a more controlled environment where he can socialize without the risk of physical harm. "Seeing a terrified creature grasping a stuffed animal for protection is enough to prove it needs its own space," noted one concerned observer.
The Challenges of Maternal Abandonment
According to Japan’s Mainichi Shimbun, Punch was born on July 26, 2025. His mother, a first-time parent, failed to provide the necessary care, a behaviour zookeepers say is common among inexperienced macaques.
While the zoo’s strategy has been to encourage natural troop behavior, the process of reintegrating an "orphan" who has imprinted on a toy is notoriously difficult. Experts note that while socialization is vital for a monkey’s long-term development, the hierarchy within macaque troops can be brutal for those at the bottom.
Current Status
The Ichikawa City Zoo has previously defended its approach, noting that maternal abandonment is a natural occurrence and that social friction is part of troop dynamics. However, as global scrutiny intensifies, pressure is mounting on the facility to provide more than just a plush toy to ensure the young monkey’s well-being.
For now, Punch remains with his troop, caught between the harsh realities of primate social structures and the global community’s hope for his safety.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 20, 2026 04:34 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).