AN abandoned baby monkey who broke hearts after being spotted using a cuddly toy as a stand-in parent has finally been reunited with his troop.
Seven-month-old Punch, a Japanese macaque, was rejected by his mother shortly after birth.
Punch has finally been reunited with his own troopCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
The heart-melting moment Punch cuddled up to a soft toyCredit: x
Punch was seen carrying the stuffed animal around the enclosureCredit: x
Visitors at the Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan, where Punch lives, were left teary-eyed when they saw him clinging to a stuffed orangutan for comfort.
The moment was caught on camera, with footage showing the tiny primate appearing to suck his thumb while sitting on top of the orangutan, using it as a surrogate mum.
Punch was seen carrying the stuffed animal around the enclosure, closely bonding with the toy.
And he had even been sleeping with the toy, wrapping his arms around it for reassurance.
His keepers – Kosuke Shikano, 24, and Shumpei Miyakoshi, 34 – said parental abandonment by monkeys happens in certain circumstances.
Shikano said: “The burden of her [Punch’s mother] first birth may have been a factor.
“In the monkey mountain troop, other mother monkeys sometimes take on childcare, so we observed from a distance on the day of birth, but there were no such signs.”
Social media users were left gutted by the videos, sharing their emotional reactions in the comments.
“Poor baby, I will cuddle you!” one person wrote.
Another said: “It’s as if he’s found the safest, warmest place in the world”.
A third highlighted “how much social bonds matter across all species”.
But behind the scenes, Punch’s keepers were working to reintroduce him to his own troop.
Early attempts proved difficult, as the youngster cautiously adjusted to new dynamics and social codes.
But the integration has now been successful, with Punch finding a new friend who truly cares for him.
According to recent updates from the zoo, Punch made a breakthrough and has begun bonding with another monkey.
A heartwarming video shows a larger, adult monkey grooming Punch.
In primate communities, grooming is a language of trust and acceptance.
“He’s actively engaging with other monkeys, and I can feel he’s growing up,” keeper Miyakoshi said.
