New York, February 21: Controversial social media personalities Andrew and Tristan Tate have made a public bid of USD 250,000 to purchase a young Japanese macaque named Punch after videos of the animal being bullied went viral. Tristan Tate announced the offer on X, formerly Twitter, on February 19, 2026, after footage showed the seven-month-old infant being dragged across an enclosure by a larger monkey. The brothers, who are currently residing in Romania amid ongoing legal proceedings, stated they intend to "rescue" the primate from its current environment at the Ichikawa City Zoological and Botanical Gardens.

The macaque, nicknamed "Punch" (or Panchi-kun), had already become a global internet sensation earlier this month. Abandoned by his mother shortly after birth in July 2025, Punch was hand-raised by zookeepers and gained fame for his heartbreaking attachment to a plush orangutan toy he carries for comfort. While millions have been touched by his story, recent clips showing his difficult reintegration into the troop have sparked a wave of online concern and prompted the quarter-million-dollar offer from the Tates. Viral Video of Punch the Monkey: Latest Updates and Zoo Statement.

Tate Brothers Offer USD 250,000 for Abandoned Macaque ‘Punch’

The Viral Bullying Incident

The specific video that triggered the Tates’ offer shows Punch being harshly dragged by an adult female macaque. To human viewers, the footage appeared to show an act of violence, causing Punch to scream and run back to his plush toy for solace. Tristan Tate’s post, which quickly amassed millions of views, tagged his brother Andrew and declared, "Which Zoo owns this monkey? @Cobratate and I will buy it. USD 250,000 dollars. I am NOT joking."

The Tate brothers' offer has polarized the internet. While some followers praised the gesture as a wealthy intervention to save an animal in distress, critics argued that the move is a publicity stunt. Animal welfare experts also warned that removing a social primate from a managed zoo environment to a private residence could be detrimental to the animal’s long-term development. Punch the Monkey Dragged and Bullied Again at Japan Zoo After Brief Signs of Friendship (Watch Video).

Zoo Response: 'It’s Normal Social Discipline'

In a formal statement released on February 20, 2026, the Ichikawa City Zoo addressed the viral panic and the sudden influx of international attention. Zookeepers explained that the "dragging" incident was actually a form of natural social discipline. According to the zoo, Punch had approached a mother monkey’s baby, and the mother intervened to set boundaries.

"She likely felt her baby was being annoyed by Punch and got upset," the zoo wrote. "For macaques, this is part of establishing social codes. No single monkey has shown serious aggression toward him." The zoo emphasized that Punch was not injured and continues to show "mental strength and resilience" as he learns how to navigate the complex hierarchy of a monkey troop.

Background: The Rise of 'Punch the Monkey'

Punch's journey from an abandoned infant to a global star has been a rollercoaster for his online fanbase.

  • Birth: Born July 26, 2025, weighing only 500 grams.

  • The Plushie: Zookeepers gave him an IKEA orangutan plushie to act as a "surrogate mother" after his biological mother rejected him.

  • Fame: His hashtag #HangInTherePunch (or #がんばれパンチ) has trended across Asia, leading to a surge in zoo attendance and plush toy donations.

While the zoo has not officially responded to the Tates' financial offer, they have requested that the public "warmly watch over" Punch’s growth. They maintain that the goal remains his full integration into his own species' society rather than a life in isolation or private captivity.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 21, 2026 03:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).