Punch, a 6-month-old macaque at Ichikawa City Zoo in Chiba prefecture, Japan, recently became a social media sensation. Last week, a widely shared video showed Punch being bullied by other macaques and clinging to a plush toy as a "surrogate mother" after being abandoned by its biological mother.

Many people wondered why Punch's mother abandoned her offspring. Alison Behie, a primatologist at the Australian National University, stated that abandonment is unusual but occurs under specific circumstances related to a mother's age, health, and experience.

"In Punch's case, its mother was a first-time parent, lacking experience," Behie explained. "Zoo staff also mentioned that Punch was born during a heatwave, an environmental stressor. In environments where survival is threatened by external factors, a mother macaque might prioritize her own health and future reproductive success over continuing to care for an infant whose well-being could be compromised."

Following the abandonment by its mother, zoo staff provided Punch with a stuffed orangutan. Previously, they had tried various alternatives to a mother, such as rolled-up towels for Punch to cling to. Kosuke Shikano, a zoo staff member, highlighted the importance of physical contact for young macaques: "Japanese macaques typically cling tightly to their mother's body shortly after birth to develop muscles. They also find a sense of security when holding onto something. However, because Punch was abandoned, it had nothing to cling to. We believe that using a monkey-shaped item could help Punch reintegrate into the troop more easily."

Expert Behie suggested the plush toy acts as an "attachment object," as Punch is only 6 months old and still requires maternal care and nursing. She asserted that the behavior of other macaques towards Punch "is not bullying or unusual, but normal social interaction." Japanese macaques have a strict matriarchal hierarchy, where higher-ranking families assert dominance over lower-ranking ones. Even if it had its mother, Punch might still face aggression from other macaques.

"However, without a mother, Punch may not develop appropriate submissive responses to show deference to dominant individuals. This could have long-term consequences for how the monkey integrates into the troop as an adult," Behie stated.

Macaque Punch with its plush toy at the zoo on 19/2. *Photo: AFP*

In recent days, the zoo has seen a surge in visitors. The facility has tightened safety around the enclosure, urging visitors to remain quiet, avoid using step ladders or tripods for photos, and refrain from observing for too long.

Carla Litchfield, a conservation psychologist at the University of Adelaide, noted that Japanese macaques are highly intelligent and often used in biomedical and neurological experiments in Japan. These macaques are frequently culled in Japan due to crop destruction. "Punch's story highlights the impact of habitat loss, climate change, animal welfare in zoos, and the power of social media in connecting people with animals," Litchfield remarked.

"However, it is hoped that the millions of likes and social media attention will not exacerbate the illegal trade of baby monkeys as exotic pets, simply because people find baby monkeys cute and think they would make great pets," she stated. Litchfield cautioned against the long-term reality of owning macaques: "Macaques grow very quickly. Punch will be an adult in just 4 years, and by then, people will no longer find them cute or docile. Macaques belong in the macaque world. They are social creatures and need to be with their own kind to develop optimally, both mentally and physically."

Hong Hanh (According to The Guardian)