Has Punch the lonely monkey been floored by Momo-chan? Viral zoo star ‘spotted kissing female playmate’
After being bullied and ostracized by her peers, she went viral and sought refuge in the safety of a soft toy.
But now it looks like Punch the viral macaque has found his happily ever after.
The famous monkey, who lives at Japan’s Ichikawa City Zoo, was photographed kissing, cuddling and affectionately playing with a female macaque believed to be named Momo-chan.
The couple were captured enjoying time together in clips posted on X and TikTok, with Punch’s trusty plush toy even making an appearance.
Punch and Momo-chan were seen jumping, hugging, and chasing each other in a series of videos; which shows that Punch’s spell of loneliness is finally over.
Six-month-old Punch won the hearts of millions of people around the world earlier this year when he appeared to seek solace in a toy monkey after being rejected by other macaques at the sanctuary he joined.
To add insult to injury, it was revealed that Punch was given the toy by zoo keepers to teach him to hold on after he was abandoned by his mother at birth.
Baby macaques cling to their mothers for safety and to develop their muscles, an important skill for primates.
Viral Japanese monkey Punch managed to live happily ever after with a female macaque named Momo-chan after the pair were spotted playing, cuddling and even kissing.
Punch and Momo-chan (pictured) were seen cuddling as Punch’s trusty toy orangutan lay nearby.
The pair (pictured) were also caught playfully chasing each other; This shows that Punch’s spell of loneliness is finally over
Six-month-old Punch was abandoned by his mother at birth and rejected by other primates until Momo-chan appeared.
Punch was offered alternatives such as a towel or a different soft toy, but ultimately chose the long-legged toy orangutan as his companion.
The orphaned animal quickly became the center of attention at the zoo near Tokyo, and hundreds of visitors came to see it.
He also received an outpouring of sympathy online from people concerned about his health; But now it looks like his fate may be changing.
Recent photos show that, alongside his new friend, Punch is starting to integrate with the other monkeys at the zoo and is becoming less reliant on his toy.
The baby macaque has been photographed riding on the back of another monkey, sitting among adults, and occasionally being groomed or cuddled by peers.
Zoo staff recently said it was a good thing Punch outgrew his toy.
Zoo director Shigekazu Mizushina said: ‘When he grows out of the plush toy it encourages his independence and we hope so too.’
Despite appearances, the Ichikawa City Zoo insisted that Punch was not initially bullied by his enclosure mates.
Punch (pictured) went viral on X after being bullied and ostracized by his friends, and sought refuge in the safety of a soft toy
Punch (pictured) was given the toy by zookeepers after he was abandoned by his mother at birth. Monkeys instinctively hold on to their mothers for safety
Recent photos also show that Punch (pictured) is starting to integrate with the other monkeys at the zoo and is becoming less reliant on his toy.
The zoo said in a statement published on
‘When you observe this disciplinary behavior towards other troop members as they attempt to communicate with Punch, [the zoo] ‘I want you to support Punch’s effort instead of feeling sorry for him.’
The zoo said Punch had not been subjected to ‘bullying’, but rather that the behavior reflected a ‘strict hierarchical society’ where ‘dominant individuals demonstrate ‘disciplinary actions’ towards their subordinates.
However, they acknowledged the public’s reaction to Punch and added:'[The zoo] Share your concerns about Punch; All zookeepers and staff will continue to work together to ensure Punch can continue to live a healthy life as part of this monkey troop.’
