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New Videos Show Baby Macaque Punch Gaining Acceptance at Ichikawa Zoo

Caretakers say the rough discipline seen in earlier clips reflects normal social learning during his supervised integration.

Overview

  • Clips shared on Feb. 20 show an older macaque grooming Punch and juveniles playing with him, indicating social progress.
  • A Feb. 19 video of an adult dragging Punch drew concern online, which the zoo explained as typical group reprimand for learning hierarchy.
  • Punch continues to carry a plush orangutan for comfort after being hand-reared when his mother rejected him at birth in July 2025.
  • IKEA Japan donated 33 additional plush toys following the viral attention to ensure replacements for his favored comfort object.
  • The zoo reported a surge in visitors, apologized for long wait times, and asked guests to keep noise down near the enclosure.