The internet is worried about Punch the monkey. The zoo says hes OK.
Mashable
February 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The internet was recently panicked by a viral video showing Punch, a 7-month-old macaque at the Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan, being dragged across the ground by another monkey. The video sparked widespread concern on social media, with many accusing the zoo of negligence and calling the monkeys bullies. However, the zoo clarified that the behavior was not abusive but rather a normal part of macaque socialization. According to the zoo, Punch had approached another baby monkey, who then avoided him. An adult monkey, likely its mother, intervened by dragging Punch away as a form of discipline, which is typical for macaques establishing boundaries.
The incident occurred after Punch had been rejected by his biological mother and hand-raised by zoo staff, which delayed his early social bonding with other monkeys. Despite this, the zoo emphasizes that Punch is progressing well in learning how to interact within the troop. Videos taken after the incident show Punch moving freely, being groomed by adult monkeys, and carrying his beloved stuffed toy but not always relying on it for comfort.
The story highlights the power of viral animal content on social media, where animals often become characters in narratives created by their online followers. While the public
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Originally published on Mashable on 2/20/2026