Overview
- Zookeepers say Punch is increasingly approaching peers, receiving grooming and engaging in play after staged introductions that began in mid‑January.
- A Feb. 17 video and TV Asahi reporting show him venturing from his stuffed orangutan to interact with other macaques, which staff describe as steady progress.
- Punch was born on July 26, 2025, was rejected by his mother and was hand‑raised by staff who used blankets and soft toys to reduce stress.
- The plush toy functions as a comfort object rooted in well-documented attachment behavior, and Punch still keeps it nearby as he adjusts.
- Zoo posts and viral clips have drawn large crowds and a trending hashtag, with officials noting on Feb. 15 that visitor lines have surged beyond normal levels.