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Expert issues warning to people who want to 'rescue' viral Punch the monkey rejected by mother
An expert has issued a warning to people who want to 'rescue' Punch, the viral baby monkey who was rejected by his mother.
The young macaque at Ichikawa City Zoo shot to stardom earlier this month after videos showed him clinging to an orangutan stuffed toy given to him as a substitute for his mother.
According to The Guardian, Punch had been rejected by his biological mother shortly after he was born in July last year.
Zookeepers provided him with the plush toy, nicknamed 'Ora-mama,' for comfort, and for months, he was rarely seen without it.
The clips of him dragging the toy around and hugging it sparked sympathy around the world and even inspired the hashtag 'keep going, Punch'.
But as emotions ran high online, some viewers began suggesting the six-month-old should be 'rescued' - a move experts say would do far more harm than good.
Expert Speaks Out
Alison Behie, a biological anthropology professor at the Australian National University, addressed why Punch doesn't need to be saved during an appearance on CNA's Asia Now.
“Because they're social animals,” she explained.
“They need to be with their social group."
"Animals raised in isolation are way worse off than an animal that's in his social group and possibly facing some aggression, which really he will learn the signals and he will integrate into the group, which we're alreadystarting to see," she added.
She warned that isolation can have serious consequences, as the animal will get 'bored' and aggressive.
“There's been lots of cases of animals becoming quite aggressive to their owners and then those animals need to be put down.
“So, my message would be to leave them alone, [and] understand [that] this is a normal part of wild behavior. It's confronting to look at but punch is where he should be," she concluded.
A Turning Point For Punch
There has been a positive development in Punch’s journey as Zoo officials have revealed that he has begun integrating with the other monkeys.
Although his first attempts to rejoin the troop were reportedly overwhelming, caretakers have since celebrated major milestones.
One monkey was recently seen grooming him, a noteworthy moment in primate social life, as grooming signals trust, bonding, and acceptance within the group.
Videos shared by the zoo also showed Punch playing with other young monkeys and even climbing onto their backs, and in one heartwarming scene, an older monkey was seen hugging him.
Shumpei Miyakoshi, a caretaker at the zoo, shared: "He’s actively engaging with other monkeys, and I can feel he’s growing up," per The Independent.
"Even when scolded by other monkeys, he quickly recovers. He’s mentally strong."