Overview
- Ichikawa City Zoo says Punch was groomed by two monkeys and is steadily fitting into the group after his January 19 reintroduction.
- IKEA confirms its orangutan plush is out of stock in markets including Japan and the United States, with resellers listing the toy for up to about $355.
- The zoo recorded more than 5,000 visitors on a holiday Monday and established a restricted zone around part of the enclosure to ease animal stress.
- Zookeepers and primatologists describe viral clips of rough interactions as species-typical scolding within macaque hierarchies, with no single monkey showing serious aggression.
- PETA urges transferring Punch to a reputable sanctuary, while researchers advise keeping him with conspecifics unless he faces a significant risk of physical harm.