Punch the monkey

She explained that Punch is likely under “careful observation” to determine how they will proceed.

“I expect Punch will be under careful observation by the keepers, and it sounds like they are trying various approaches to find a way to keep Punch in the group, which is best practice,” Dr Bethell told The Daily Mail.

“If it looks like he is at risk of physical harm he would be removed from the group. As macaques are highly social intelligent primates this would be the last resort, only if he were deemed to be at risk of physical harm.”

The scientist continued by explaining that a violent attack by theother monkeys might not be the worst-case scenario. Instead, it would be how he’s affected by long-term isolation from the pack, which could lead to a devastating fate. That way, he would miss opportunities to learn the proper social behavior.

“Having been abandoned by his mother and the social group more broadly he has missed key developmental opportunities to learn appropriate social behaviors that would help him to navigate the hierarchical social world of macaques,” Dr Bethell continued.

“At 6 months old a wild macaque would still be somewhat reliant on the mother for comfort, nutrition and opportunities to learn about social behavior.”

Punch the monkey could be moved to “forge new social relationships”

Still, although the cute little monkey might be on his own, there is one thing that is in his favor. As he is a male, he might be able to join a different group as he gets older.

“Japanese macaques are female–bonded and males typically migrate out of the social group at sexual maturity,” Dr. Emily Bethell told the news outlet.

She added, “There is evidence that mothers may invest more in raising daughters since they will stay in the natal group. He may therefore be moved to a new social group when he gets older and have an opportunity to forge new social relationships.”

We hope that Punch will find friends and a loving family soon. Please share this article if you think he deserves it too.