Punch, a baby macaque abandoned by his mother has become an internet star, drawing huge crowds to a Japanese zoo as he learns to socialise
ICHIKAWA: A baby macaque named Punch is learning to navigate life at a Japanese zoo after capturing hearts worldwide. The seven-month-old was abandoned by his mother and became an internet sensation last month.
Online clips showed him clinging to a plush orangutan toy for comfort. His plight spawned a dedicated fanbase using the hashtag #HangInTherePunch.
The Ichikawa City Zoo outside Tokyo has since been flooded with visitors. Zoo official Takashi Yasunaga told AFP that 2,000 to 3,000 people now visit daily, roughly ten times the usual winter number.
Foreign tourists are among the crowds, with one local taxi driver noting an “unprecedented” number of non-Japanese visitors. “Some foreign tourists get in, and with big smiles on their faces, just tell me: ‘Punch’,” the driver said.
Hand-raised after his birth in July, the small macaque is gradually acclimatising. The zoo says he no longer clutches the plushie constantly and is starting to make friends.
Visitor Jon Frigillana from the United States explained the monkey’s widespread appeal. “I think it’s the relatability of it,” the 30-year-old said.
“He’s going through a lot, but seeing him come through adversity… It’s nice to see strength in that way,” Frigillana added. He also noted that amidst global conflicts, “it’s heartwarming to see” Punch.
Another visitor, Eliete Ikeda, called seeing the “kawaii” Punch a birthday “present”. “Happy birthday for me,” she excitedly declared during her trip.
Not all attention has been positive, however. The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) called his initial situation a reminder of captivity’s cruelty.
Online clips also drew criticism from Europe over his enclosure and interactions with other monkeys. Yasunaga explained that macaque society is strictly hierarchical.
Higher-ranked individuals often “discipline and scold” newcomers in behaviours “fundamentally different from abuse in human society”. “We’re watching with patience and care as Punch gets trained in the troop and learns rules of monkey society,” he said.
During a recent visit, Punch was seen playing alone before occasionally approaching others. He was often ignored and returned to his plush toy.
“We hope he will eventually let go of his stuffed toy and become bigger in size and indistinguishable from others,” Yasunaga said. He acknowledged this might sadden visitors but emphasised it is the zoo’s ultimate hope for the monkey’s growth into a full-fledged troop member.
The Sun Malaysia
