Japanese zoo responds to newly viral video of baby macaque Punch

Punch was abandoned by his mother at birth and has since been raised by zoo staff. He gained widespread attention earlier this week after footage showed him carrying a stuffed orangutan, which caretakers provided to help him cope with loneliness.

However, a new video circulated online that shows Punch being approached and briefly dragged in circles by a larger monkey before retreating to a corner of the habitat with his toy. The footage sparked concern among viewers.

In a statement posted on social media, the zoo explained that prior to the incident Punch had attempted to interact with another baby monkey but was rejected. The adult macaque involved in the video is believed to be the mother of that infant and may have reacted protectively.

"While Punch is scolded, he shows resilience and mental strength. When you observe these disciplinary behaviors from other troop members toward Punch, when he tries to communicate with them, we would like you to support Punch's efforts, rather than feel sorry for him," the statement reads.

The zoo also noted that Punch has recently made progress in communicating with other monkeys. Following the surge of visitors after the videos went viral, the facility asked guests to observe viewing rules and be mindful of the zoo’s limited space.