Once isolated, Punch the monkey slowly accepted by troop at Japan zoo
The recent interactions are being seen as a positive sign that he is slowly being accepted after a difficult start.
After drawing attention in earlier reports for clinging to a stuffed toy, Punch, a six-month-old macaque monkey at Japan's Ichikawa City Zoological and Botanical Gardens, is now showing signs of gradually bonding with his troop.
According to a report by NDTV, videos circulating on social media show a change in Punch's interactions. One clip shows an adult monkey pulling him into an embrace, while another captures him being gently groomed. Grooming is an important social behaviour in primates, helping build trust and maintain group bonds.
Punch had previously struggled to integrate after being abandoned by his mother. Initial attempts to interact with other monkeys were unsuccessful, with some ignoring him and others reacting aggressively.
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During this period, he often clung to a large orangutan plush toy provided by zookeepers for comfort and physical support, the report added.
Zoo authorities said the earlier hostility reflected normal protective behaviour within macaque social structures.
On one occasion, Punch approached another infant, who avoided him, prompting an adult female, believed to be the infant's mother, to scold and pull him away.
Zoo officials added that Punch has been corrected by other monkeys multiple times and is gradually learning to adapt to the troop.
The recent interactions are being seen as a positive sign that he is slowly being accepted after a difficult start.
