Punch continues to integrate into his troop at Ichikawa City Zoo, and in recent reports, one adult macaque named Onsing has groomed and hugged the younger monkey. Despite this recent development, Punch will likely never be able to recover his relationship with his mother. "[Punch] has not had a natural upbringing, and he has not learned the skills he needs to thrive in a social group. "In macaques, early bonding occurs immediately postpartum through constant physical contact, nursing, scent, and vocal communication. When that bond is disrupted, substitute objects can become a source of security—a coping response to early separation," Curtin said.

Source: Punch March 01, 2026 17:39 UTC