Punch The Sad Monkey Is Capturing Hearts Worldwide
Rolling Stone • • world
Key Points:
- Punch, a seven-month-old macaque monkey at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan, was rejected by his mother after a difficult birth and raised by zookeepers, but struggles to be accepted by other monkeys in the enclosure.
- The lonely monkey has gained viral fame online, with millions following his social challenges and emotional moments, including dragging around a stuffed orangutan toy given to him for comfort.
- Videos showing Punch being harassed by other monkeys sparked widespread concern and calls for his protection, although zookeepers clarified these incidents are part of normal social discipline within the troop.
- Zookeepers report that Punch is gradually making progress in integrating with the group, receiving grooming and physical contact from other monkeys, and
