Punch the Monkey

By: Parisa Nosrati Edited by: Catie Taylor

The moment Punch the monkey ran to his stuffed animal for comfort, the Internet went wild. Since then, people online have been following Punch’s story closely, his fanbase expanding with every video released. But what is so special about Punch? Why do we care so much about him?

The baby Japanese macaque was born on July 26, 2025 at the Ichikawa City Zoo. He was abandoned by his mother shortly after his birth, so he was mainly raised by zookeepers. Because he didn’t have his mother to comfort him from the bullying he received from the other monkeys, he was given a stuffed orangutan as a companion.

While viewers agree on Punch’s cuteness, they also connect with the “trauma narrative” that has emerged around him. Many relate to the way Punch reacts to violence and runs to an object for comfort, empathizing with his vulnerability.

“Anthropomorphism” is defined as the attribution of human traits and emotions onto non-humans, including animals. This helps humans connect with or understand non-humans by giving them human experiences and emotions. In Punch’s case, audiences are projecting the idea of trauma recovery onto Punch, interpreting his experiences through concepts typically used to describe human psychological healing.

Social media has heightened the empathy for Punch. There is authenticity in Punch’s struggle, triggering a collective concern for him. Seeing him struggle is comforting because it's proof that no human—or creature—lives a life free of conflict.

Many people can relate to needing a sense of emotional security in a violent world. We see this idea in Harry Harlow’s “Nature of Love” experiments from the 1950s. He used rhesus monkeys to demonstrate that infants prefer a “mother” made of soft cloth rather than a wired one. This proves that physical comfort is a crucial part of healthy attachment.

Along with audiences relating to Punch’s trauma, people are invested in his “rags to riches” story. It’s comforting to have something to root for, especially an underdog. 

While the Internet’s obsession with Punch is heartwarming and inspiring for the most part, parasocial relationships with animals can lead to emotional distress and a false sense of responsibility. Many feel a sense of ownership over Punch’s wellbeing, feeling stressed when he gets harmed and relieved when he gets love. This care for Punch is okay in moderation, but caring for something through social media can lead to anxiety and isolation because one cannot truly have an impact.

The clip of Punch getting harassed by the older macaques caused concern for him, but this is actually a normal social interaction for the species. While it’s sad to see, the social media uproar shouldn’t overrule the way animals interact in nature. 

Due to social media, Punch has so many visitors that the Ichikawa City Zoo has had to enforce strict barriers to protect the animals’ peace and privacy. Crowds often make noise on the glass to get the animals’ attention, which can disrupt and overwhelm them.

The video of Punch and his orangutan has a hold on the audience’s hearts, but it’s important to consider the consequences of collective empathy and the harm it can do to people and animals. 

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