Rejected by all, abandoned at birth — Punch’s heartbreaking story goes viral

The infant macaque, named Punch — or Panchi-kun in Japanese — was abandoned by his mother shortly after his birth in July last year at the Ichikawa City Zoo, located in Tokyo.

For primates, maternal bonding is critical in the early months of life, shaping their emotional security, social skills and survival instincts. Without that early nurturing, infants often face developmental and psychological challenges.

Deprived of his mother’s warmth, Punch instinctively sought connection elsewhere. He approached adult macaques in the enclosure, attempting to bond and integrate into the group. But instead of acceptance, he was met with hostility. Adult monkeys pushed him away, sometimes attacking him, rejecting his repeated efforts to find companionship.

With no maternal figure and no social acceptance, Punch found solace in an unlikely substitute — an orangutan stuffed toy provided by zoo keepers as part of his care and emotional support. The toy soon became his constant companion. He slept with it, clutched it tightly and carried it wherever he went, as if holding onto the comfort he had been denied.

Raised largely by zoo caretakers, Punch formed an emotional dependence on the toy, hugging it constantly and treating it as a surrogate mother.

In one particularly heart-wrenching video that has since gone viral, Punch is seen clutching the stuffed orangutan and running away in fear after being kicked away by adult macaques while attempting to approach them. Despite repeated rejection, he continues to seek connection — a powerful reminder of the innate social needs of primates.

Apart from the toy, Punch’s only other source of comfort has been his human caretaker. Videos show him clinging tightly to the keeper during feeding time, seeking reassurance and warmth — behaviour experts say reflects his search for security in the absence of maternal care.

Punch’s story has struck a chord globally, with countless videos circulating online and netizens rallying behind him. Social media users have flooded platforms with messages of support, even creating hashtags like #HangInTherePunch, expressing hope that the young macaque will eventually find acceptance and companionship.

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