Overview
- New visitor videos from Feb. 26–27 show grooming, hugging, and Punch riding another macaque, signaling tentative acceptance within the group.
- Ichikawa City Zoo says reintegration training is ongoing under close monitoring, with veterinary checks and retreat spaces available, and intervention only if clear physical risk arises.
- Attendance has jumped since mid‑February, with long queues to view Punch as the zoo posts regular progress updates in Japanese and English.
- Ikea’s Djungelskog orangutan plush drew donations and a marketing nod, Google added a celebratory search animation with millions of interactions, and Punch‑themed merchandise has flooded online marketplaces.
- A viral post claiming Punch had died was false, with the zoo confirming he is alive and reiterating that monkey welfare remains the top priority.