Orphaned Baby Monkey in Japan Finding Independence, Making New Friends

A baby macaque named Punch at a Japanese zoo is gradually becoming less dependent on his comfort toy orangutan as he begins bonding with other monkeys. The orphaned monkey, who was rejected by his mother at birth, initially clung to the plushie for comfort but is now socializing more with his fellow primates.

ICHIKAWA, Japan — A young orphaned macaque named Punch is slowly becoming less reliant on the stuffed orangutan toy that helped him through his difficult early days after being rejected by his mother and the monkey community.

Photos of the tiny Punch carrying around his oversized plush companion captured hearts when they showed how the baby monkey would run to his toy for comfort whenever other primates pushed him away from their group.

Now the situation is changing for the better. Recently, observers have watched Punch climbing onto other monkeys’ backs, spending time with adult members of the troop, and even receiving grooming and embraces from his fellow primates.

“It was good to see him grow, and I’m reassured,” said Sanae Izumi, a 61-year-old Punch fan from Osaka who came to the zoo because she was worried about the baby monkey. “He is adorable!”

After his mother left him following his birth — likely due to exhaustion — zoo staff bottle-fed Punch and provided him with the stuffed toy to help him develop the clinging instincts that baby macaques require for survival.

“Helping Punch learn the rules of monkey society and being accepted as a member is our most important task,” said Kosuke Kano, a 24-year-old zookeeper.

The baby monkey became an internet sensation after photos of him with his toy companion went viral last month, forcing the zoo to implement quiet zones and 10-minute viewing limits to prevent stress among the facility’s 50-plus other monkeys.

Zoo officials view Punch’s decreased reliance on his stuffed companion as positive progress.

“When he grows out of the plush toy that encourages his independence, and that’s what we are hoping for,” zoo director Shigekazu Mizushina said.

While Punch continues to sleep alongside his toy each night, Mizushina explained that staff hope to eventually see him sleeping curled up with other monkeys instead.