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Sarah E. Turner, Associate Professor, Geography, Planning and Environment, Concordia University

UNCOVERED: Wild macaques don t abandon babies so why did punch s mother | History Defined

Japanese macaques or snow monkeys, _Macaca fuscata_ to scientists, are a highly social and intelligent species. In wild and free-ranging groups, mothers do not abandon infants. (Brogan M. Stewart)

Little Punch, a seven-month-old Japanese macaque living in the Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan, has captured hearts on the internet. Abandoned by his mother in the first few days of his life and raised by the keepers at the zoo, he has had some trouble integrating into the group of around 60 Japanese macaques.

The keepers gave him a stuffed orangutan, which he carries with him — grooming its plushy fur the way monkeys usually care for one another. Some monkeys in the group were pushing Punch away, dragging him and reacting negatively to him. The internet is demanding to know why. And why would his mother abandon him?

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