If the internet had eyes, all of them would currently be trained on the Ichikawa City Zoo in Chiba, Japan, where a rejected baby monkey has become an unlikely international star. While animal videos are common fodder online, there’s something about this tiny little monkey that I just can’t stop thinking about. And I’m not the only one.
Punch, or Punch-kun as he’s called in Japanese, is a seven-month old macaque monkey. He was born in July, but after a difficult and long labor, his mother rejected him, according to zookeepers at Ichikawa City Zoo. Punch was raised by staff, who nursed him until he was able to fend for himself. But when it was time for Punch to be reintroduced to the rest of the monkeys, things didn’t go so smoothly. Many of the other monkeys on “monkey mountain,” as the enclosure is referred to, refuse to allow Punch into the social circle. There’s nothing wrong with him, but as a baby reared with staff instead of inside the group of monkeys, the others just really hate Punch’s vibe. He’s awkward! It’s not his fault!
As if Punch’s story couldn’t get sadder, zookeepers gifted the lonely little monkey a stuffed orangutan toy from Ikea for comfort. As if a sad tiny monkey who’s lonely and doesn’t have any friends wasn’t enough, now I’ve got to watch him drag around a toy that’s practically the same size as him? Are you fucking kidding me?
In the weeks since Punch reached viral status, internet users have been absolutely obsessed with tracking his social progress and integration with the rest of his fellow monkeys. Photos and videos of Punch in the enclosure have racked up millions of views and comments as people dedicate their time and emotional wellbeing to the small downturned face. That means obsessively watching clips as Punch drags his stuffed animal around in the dust, fails to approach another group of monkeys, or eats alone in a corner with his only friend, a $19.99-plus-shipping-and-handling stuffed animal. But it also means people — including me — are absolutely bursting with outrage every time something appears to go even the slightest bit wrong for him.
On Feb. 19, cameras trained on Punch captured another monkey grabbing him by his neck and dragging him across the ground, following as Punch escaped shrieking and sought refuge in the arms of his fuzzy plushy. The response was immediate. Users on X and TikTok begged zookeepers to take Punch to safety. (Zookeepers have maintained he is safe and being watched carefully.) Others threatened the monkeys that wouldn’t let Punch join their posses. There was a common refrain about buying Punch a gun. PETA is even getting in on the action — using Punch’s virality to decry zoos.
The psychological appeal of Punch is readily apparent for even the least inquisitive of people. Small animal? Check. Cute and easy-to-anthropomorphise face? Check. Heartbreaking circumstances? Check. A single friendship that rivals the plot of a Disney short? Check. Add in a name that calls to mind the potential for physical violence on monkey mountain and it’s like Punch was always meant to become the focus of millions. The immediate nature of social media also means that it feels like minute-to-minute updates of Punch’s wellbeing are almost inescapable online. If he tries to approach a group or runs from a fight, people know almost immediately. But acknowledging that I am being emotionally manipulated by my amygdala doesn’t keep me from feeling every emotion when I see that tiny little monkey drag his stuffed toy around the yard.
While content about Punch has centered around his worst moments, he is, in fact, making progress. Through the zoo’s account on X, zookeepers update Punch’s fans on his journey of integrating back into the group. Even the Feb. 19 dragging incident wasn’t an instance of unprovoked bullying, zookeepers said, but a chastisement from an adult monkey who most likely felt that her baby was annoyed by Punch’s efforts to hang out. According to zookeepers, it was the monkey equivalent of telling him “don’t be mean.” Punch has a ways to go before he’s fully an accepted member of the troupe, a process that will continue to be tracked by hordes of people. But zookeepers are positive that Punch is slowly ingratiating himself in the group, and are encouraging his fans to keep their spirits up.
“While Punch is scolded he shows resilience and mental strength,” zookeepers at Ichikawa City Zoo said in a statement Friday. “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 effort rather than feel sorry for him.”
In recent days, Punch has been seen climbing on at least one adult and had his fur groomed by another, indications that he’s slowly capturing hearts of his fellow primates. Punch might be down for the moment. But he’s certainly not out.
