PETA says viral baby monkey Punch shows ‘cruelty of zoos’ | The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload ourSocial PartnerWe are 8 logo (opens in a new tab)AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleShahana YasminWednesday 25 February 2026 10:02 GMTBaby monkey Punch has found a new troop and is no longer alone, zoo saysA young Japanese macaque named Punch went viral after videos showed him clinging to a stuffed orangutan toy at Ichikawa City Zoo.Punch was rejected by his mother shortly after birth last July and was hand-reared by zoo staff, who provided the toy for comfort.Animal rights group PETA criticised the situation, stating it highlighted the “cruelty of zoos” rather than being “cute” or “heart-warming”.PETA argued that zoos confine animals, depriving them of autonomy and the complex environments and social lives they would experience in the wild.The organisation called for Punch to be moved to a reputable sanctuary where he could live in a more natural environment with appropriate social bonds.In fullPETA calls out treatment of viral baby monkey Punch: ‘Animals pay the lifelong price’Thank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in