BABY MONKEY REJECTED BY MUM FINDS COMFORT IN TOY
WITH PIX AND VID
By Shuk Yee Tsang
A baby monkey who was apparently rejected by his mum has been filmed cuddling and carrying around a soft toy, treating it like a surrogate mother.
Punch, a young Japanese macaque, was seen gently cradling a small toy monkey, holding it close and accompanying it carefully around his enclosure.
Yuriko Sano, 60-year-old from Japan captured the moment in her home country, hopes to continue quietly following his progress during her regular visits to the macaque parks.
Punch was separated from his mother early in life and has often spent time with his soft toy instead.
The toy was provided for comfort during hand-raising, and Yuriko says he chose it himself.
Yuriko shares that while cases like this are not common, a similar situation was previously reported at the same park, where a hand-raised infant later grew up successfully within the troop.
The 60-year-old said: “The videos show Punch gently holding and interacting with a small toy monkey.
“He treats it with surprising care, often cradling or carrying it as if it were something precious.
“When I met him for the first time, he was with the small orangutan toy and appeared to be alone. However, to me, the toy felt like a comforting presence beside him.
“Rather than seeming lonely, he looked like a small infant living safely and peacefully.
“When I saw Punch with the toy, it felt like a moment worth sharing with others.
“From what I have seen and followed online, this does not appear to be a common sight.
“The toy was provided for comfort during hand-raising, and Punch chose it himself.
“I hope to visit from time to time to quietly follow his progress.”
END