Why are animals picking on Punch the monkey? Scientists reveal the tragic truth about the viral macaque who keeps getting rejected

Scientists have revealed the tragic truth about Punch the monkey – the viral macaque who has stolen the hearts of millions across social media. 

The seven-month-old Japanese macaque was born at Ichikawa Zoo last year, where he was rejected by his mother. 

Zookeepers gave him a stuffed orangutan toy, who he quickly formed a bond with – with viral footage showing him clinging to the plushie. 

Fans were briefly relieved when footage emerged of another macaque grooming and comforting Punch. 

However, just days later, Punch was rejected a second time – and this time it was in an even more aggressive fashion. 

So, why are animals picking on Punch? 

According to Professor Jo Setchell, a primatologist at Durham University, maternal abandonment is ‘very unusual’ in macaques – and may have set Punch up for failure. 

‘A baby monkey would usually have the protection and support of his mother, and learn the correct responses from her, but Punch doesn’t have that support so he might not have learned the right way to behave,’ Professor Setchell told the Daily Mail.

Maternal abandonment is unusual in macaques, but tends to happen when the mother is young and inexperienced.

‘I have read that Punch was his mother’s first baby, in which case she might not have had a great deal of experience,’ Professor Setchell explained. 

‘I have seen inexperienced primate mothers hold their baby upside down, for example, and appear to be very stressed when the baby wriggles. 

‘It’s a big change to go from being pregnant to having a baby clinging to your tummy all the time, for the first time!’

Conditions were also particularly hot when Punch was born, which might have contributed to his abandonment. 

‘If the mother is in poor condition herself, she might prioritise her own survival and her future offspring over caring for a baby that is unlikely to survive the current conditions,’ Professor Setchell added. 

While little is known about Punch’s mother’s upbringing, this may also have played a role, according to Dr Emily Bethell, Associate Professor in Primate Cognition and Welfare at Liverpool John Moores University. 

Speaking to the Daily Mail, she said: ‘Abandonment is more likely to happen if the mother herself had abnormal rearing – for example, if she was separated from her own mother too young, or experienced other forms of early life stress, possibly associated with captivity.’

That goes some way to explain Punch’s mother’s abandonment – but what about the other animals? 

According to Professor Setchell, it all comes down to the dominance hierarchy. 

‘Punch is a Japanese macaque, and they have strong dominance hierarchies,’ she explained. 

‘The other macaques are asserting their dominance rank.’

Dr Bethell added that the other macaques may have initially tried to jump in to help Punch, having noticed him running around without his mother. 

‘Macaques are highly social primates and interest in youngsters is common, including handling and carrying the infants of others,’ she said. 

‘An abandoned youngster would be of interest to other macaques who might want to handle him, and there may be conflict over who gets hold of him. 

‘This can result in youngsters being handled quite roughly.’

While Punch has taken the internet by storm, Professor Setchell highlights that monkeys ‘are not pets’. 

She added: ‘Social media attention to cute baby monkeys can increase demand for monkeys as pets and fuel the illegal trade in baby monkeys, causing severe animal suffering. 

‘Punch is an adorable baby, but this story shows how much a monkey needs his mum. 

‘He will quickly grow up into an adult monkey who needs to be with other members of his own species.’