A baby monkey, whose touching story of hugging a stuffed orangutan toy given in place of his mother captivated millions online, has at last found acceptance within his own species.
Punch, a young Japanese macaque residing at Japan’s Ichikawa City Zoo, achieved widespread internet fame when footage emerged of him carrying and interacting with a plush toy provided by his zookeepers.
For the initial months of his existence, Punch found it challenging to form connections with other monkeys in his habitat, relying solely on his human caregivers and the comfort of his toy. However, new videos reveal a significant turnaround: he was observed receiving an embrace from another monkey and engaging in grooming, a fundamental aspect of macaque social interaction.
Matt Lovatt, director of the UK’s Trentham Monkey Forest, discussed Punch’s recent behavioral changes on BBC Breakfast.
“It’s truly wonderful to witness him beginning to groom, as this is the primary method for these primates to establish bonds with others in their group,” remarked Lovatt, whose responsibilities include overseeing the welfare of Barbary macaques at a wildlife sanctuary located near Stoke-on-Trent.
Video edited by Marina Costa