Viral 'Punch' Monkey Case: Why do animal mothers abandon their babies? Experts explain deeper meaning behind it

A baby monkey named Punch recently captured global attention after videos showing him being rejected by his mother and targeted by other monkeys went viral. According to reports, Punch, a Japanese macaque born last July at Ichikawa Zoo in Japan, was abandoned shortly after birth. The emotional footage has sparked widespread discussion about why mother animals sometimes abandon their offspring, and whether such behaviour is natural.

Punch the Macaque: A Viral Story

According to The Guardian, Punch was given a stuffed orangutan toy by zookeepers after his mother rejected him. In several videos, he can be seen clinging tightly to the toy while being chased or dragged by older macaques in the enclosure.


While many viewers interpreted the behaviour of other monkeys as bullying, experts quoted by The Guardian suggest that the situation is more complex.

At one point, another monkey was filmed grooming and comforting Punch, offering brief reassurance to concerned viewers. However, later footage showed him once again being aggressively handled by a larger macaque before seeking safety behind a rock.

Why Do Mother Monkeys Abandon Their Babies?

As quoted by The Guardian, Alison Behie, a primatology expert at the Australian National University, explained that abandonment among Japanese macaques is unusual but can occur under certain conditions.

Factors may include:

• First-time motherhood and inexperience
• Environmental stress, such as extreme heat
• Health concerns affecting mother or infant

In Punch’s case, Behie noted that his mother was a first-time parent. Zookeepers also indicated that Punch was born during a heatwave, which may have created a high-stress environment.

As mentioned in The Guardian, Behie explained that when survival feels threatened, some mothers may prioritise their own health and future reproductive chances over caring for a vulnerable infant.

The Role of Social Hierarchies in Japanese Macaques

Japanese macaques live in strict matrilineal hierarchies. According to The Guardian report, higher-ranking families dominate lower-ranking ones within the troop.

Behie emphasised that what appears to humans as “bullying” may actually be normal social interaction. Even if Punch’s mother had not abandoned him, he might still have faced similar dominance behaviours.

However, without maternal guidance, Punch may struggle to learn appropriate submissive responses, which are essential for long-term integration into macaque society.

Why Punch Clings to a Toy

Baby Japanese macaques instinctively cling to their mothers after birth to build strength and feel secure. As quoted by The Guardian, zookeeper Kosuke Shikano explained that because Punch had nothing to grip on to, staff introduced a stuffed toy after trying rolled towels.

Primatology expert Behie suggested the toy may now serve as an attachment figure, particularly as Punch is still at an age where nursing and maternal bonding would normally occur.

Wider Concerns: Zoo Welfare, Climate Stress and Social Media

Carla Litchfield, a conservation psychologist at Adelaide University, told The Guardian that Punch’s story highlights broader issues, including habitat loss, climate change, zoo welfare and the powerful influence of social media.

She also warned that viral attention on baby monkeys could unintentionally fuel demand for the exotic pet trade. As she noted, monkeys mature quickly and require complex social environments. They belong with their own species to thrive mentally and physically.

A Global Fascination with Zoo Animals

Punch is not the first zoo animal to gain international fame. Moo Deng, the young pygmy hippo in Thailand, similarly captured public affection in 2024.

While such stories generate empathy and awareness, experts stress the importance of understanding animal behaviour in context rather than through purely human emotion.

Inputs from agencies