Mumbai, February 20: The Ichikawa City Zoological and Botanical Gardens has released an official statement after a viral video showed six month old macaque Punch being dragged by an older monkey inside the enclosure.

Punch became an internet sensation in 2025 after videos showed him clinging to zookeepers and dragging around a stuffed orangutan toy. His mother reportedly showed no interest in caring for him, and since baby macaques rely on their mothers for safety and strength, the zoo offered alternatives. Punch chose the long legged orangutan toy because it was easy to grab and perhaps because it looked like a monkey. His story moved social media users, who rallied behind him with the hashtag #HangInTherePunch. Punch the Monkey Dragged and Bullied Again at Japan Zoo After Brief Signs of Friendship (Watch Video).

Punch Dragged by Adult Monkey

Statement by Zoo on Punch Being Dragged by an Older Monkey

Dated February 20, 2026, the zoo addressed “the video of Punch gets dragged around” that appeared to have been recorded on February 19.

“We have confirmed that several videos have gone viral on the internet. When Punch approached another baby monkey from the troop in attempt to communicate, the baby monkey avoided him. Punch then sat down, apparently giving up on communicating with the monkey, after which he was scolded and dragged by an adult monkey.” Monkey Punches Innocent Little Girl in Face at a Zoo in China; Watch the Viral Video.

According to the zookeepers, “The adult monkey that dragged Punch is probably the mother of the monkey with whom Punch tried to communicate. She probably felt that her baby was annoyed by Punch and got upset, expressing ‘don’t be mean.’”

The zoo added, “Punch has been scolded by other monkeys many times in the past and has learned how to socialize with them.”

Addressing concerns about the stuffed toy, the statement said, “In the video, Punch runs to his stuffed orangutan toy after being dragged. However, as usual, he left the stuffed toy after a short while and was communicating with other monkeys.”

The zoo clarified that the video was likely recorded in the morning and noted, “During feeding time at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m., Punch acted no differently than on any other day.”

Officials emphasized that challenges were expected while integrating him into a Japanese macaque troop. “Although Punch has been scolded many times by other monkeys, no single monkey has shown serious aggression toward him.”

Highlighting his resilience, the statement concluded, “While Punch is scolded, he shows resilience and mental strength. When you observe these disciplinary behaviours from other troop members toward Punch when he tries to communicate with them, we would like you to support Punch’s effort rather than feel sorry for him.”

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 20, 2026 07:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).