Punch the orphan macaque is spending less time clutching the plushie that became his early lifeline, zoo staff said, describing a shift from constant comfort-seeking to more typical social contact with other monkeys.
The case drew attention after the toy’s orangutan shape—larger than the baby macaque itself—became a fixture in his routine. Images showed Punch dragging the plushie around after a difficult start that included rejection by his mother and other monkeys shooing him away.
On a recent day described by the zoo, Punch was seen climbing on the back of another monkey, sitting with adults, and sometimes receiving grooming or being hugged. The zoo’s staff portrayed the changes as progress from a dependence on the toy toward developing bonds and social cues within the group.
Punch fan Sanae Izumi, a 61-year-old visitor from Osaka, said she came to the zoo because she worried about the baby monkey and wanted to see how he was doing. “It was good to see him grow, and I’m reassured,” Izumi said, adding, “He is adorable!”
Zoo keeper Kosuke Kano said the care program centers on teaching Punch how to function among other macaques. “Helping Punch learn the rules of monkey society and being accepted as a member is our most important task,” Kano said.
After online posts about Punch and his orangutan plushie went viral last month, the zoo drew enough visitors that it set additional rules to manage stress for the larger group. Staff asked visitors to be quiet and limited viewing to 10 minutes for the more than 50 other monkeys that share the enclosure.
Zookeepers said they consider it a positive sign when Punch uses the toy less often, because the toy is intended as a temporary support as he builds independence. Zoo director Shigekazu Mizushina said, “When he grows out of the plush toy that encourages his independence, and that’s what we are hoping for,” and he said Punch still sleeps with the toy at night.
Mizushina said the next goal for keepers is for Punch to bunch up with other monkeys to sleep, a step that staff described as another milestone in his social integration.