With Ichikawa Zoo recently introducing a new way to donate by credit card, I thought this would be a good opportunity to share another write-up by Jay, a zookeeper from Taipei Zoo. He gives us some insight on how zoo donations are managed and used and why improvements may not always be obvious immediately.

September 30, 2026

Today, I want to discuss another question I see quite often:

“Ichikawa Zoo has received so many donations through Punch, so why does the monkey enclosure still look like it hasn’t changed very much?”

Some people have even gone a step further and questioned:

“Is the zoo simply trying to make money or profit from Punch?”

I think this question is partly reasonable. And because donations are involved, I believe the zoo has a responsibility to clearly explain how the money is being used.

According to information currently made public by Ichikawa City, as of September 13, 2026, donations related to “#がんばれパンチ” (“#GoPunch”) have reached a total of ¥72,369,005.

More than ¥70 million is certainly not a small amount, so I think it is perfectly reasonable for people to ask, “Where exactly is all this money going?”

However, there is one thing that needs to be clarified first: from the beginning, these donations were not designated exclusively for Punch, nor were they all intended to be used to renovate the monkey enclosure.

Ichikawa City’s publicly available Supporters Guide clearly states that the donations are intended for “improvements to the animal environment at Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Gardens, with Punch as the main focus, as well as facility management and other operational activities.”

In other words, Punch was indeed the main reason for this fundraising campaign and the reason many people were willing to donate. But the intended scope of how the funds could be used already included improving the environments of other animals, managing zoo facilities, and other related purposes.

So, “A large amount of money was raised because of Punch” and “All of this money can only be spent on Punch” are two completely different things.

That brings us to the next question:

“Even if the donations aren't exclusively for Punch, ¥70 million is still a lot of money. So why does the monkey enclosure still look like it hasn't changed?”

This is where I can share some observations based on my own first-hand experience working in animal facilities.

Ichikawa City previously explained that it planned to use some of these donations for several improvements, including shade structures at the monkey enclosure, the installation of soil/ground areas, expansion of the back-of-house space, and air-conditioning equipment for the back-of-house area.

In addition, Ichikawa City submitted a supplementary budget proposal to the city council totaling ¥70 million for the “Environmental Improvement Project for the Monkey Enclosure and Other Areas of the Zoo and Botanical Gardens.”

At the time, the zoo specifically explained that expanding the back-of-house area was not only for current needs. It was also being considered in preparation for a future major renovation of the monkey enclosure, when there would need to be a place where the animals could be temporarily housed.

In other words, if the monkey enclosure is eventually going to undergo major renovations, the issue of temporarily relocating the animals has to be solved first. There needs to be enough back-of-house or other temporary housing space so that the animals can be moved somewhere safely before further construction can take place.

These things often have to be done one step at a time, making it difficult to complete everything at once.

Improvement work on the monkey enclosure itself has also already begun.

The publicly announced work this time includes adding shade structures and creating areas with soil, wood chips, or other suitable ground materials. The back-of-house air-conditioning was largely completed earlier, while expansion of the back-of-house area is part of the ongoing improvements.

The monkey enclosure was originally scheduled to be closed to visitors from September 1 to September 18. However, construction was affected by rainfall, so an additional closure from September 25 to October 9 was later announced.

Then, on September 29, because of several consecutive days of rain, the approaching typhoon, and the resulting impact on construction progress, the closure was extended again, this time until October 18.

The zoo has also explained that construction is not taking place every single day during this period.

When construction workers enter the monkey enclosure, the monkeys have to be temporarily moved into the back-of-house area. Repeatedly moving the monkeys in and out every day could create unnecessary stress for them, so gaps are deliberately left between construction days. On days when there is no construction, the monkeys can use the enclosure normally.

Although the original closure period was around three weeks, the actual number of days when construction was scheduled to take place inside the monkey enclosure was only around several days.

This is actually quite similar to what I have experienced when construction work is carried out in animal facilities.

An animal exhibit is not an ordinary construction site that can simply be completely emptied and handed over to contractors for continuous work.

Animals may still be living in nearby spaces, or they may need to continue using certain facilities. Therefore, both the timing and methods of construction have to be coordinated with the animals’ circumstances.

Some construction work simply has to be postponed when it rains. Other work may create significant noise or vibration, or require unfamiliar construction workers and machinery to enter an environment normally used by the animals.

If these stimuli are clearly affecting the animals, the construction schedule may need to be adjusted, and buffer periods may even need to be arranged between construction sessions.

So when a project that appears relatively small ends up taking a long time, it isn't necessarily because the construction itself is particularly complicated. Weather conditions, the animals’ responses, and day-to-day management all have to be taken into account.

For a zoo, the construction schedule is actually part of animal management.

That is also why I have always felt that “it doesn’t look like much has changed” and “nothing has been done” cannot simply be treated as the same thing.

Adding shade structures and improving the ground areas may be relatively easy for visitors to see. But expanding the back-of-house area, installing air-conditioning there, creating temporary animal-housing space, and even the design, procurement, and administrative procedures that take place before construction may not be immediately visible to visitors.

The zoo itself has also mentioned that even when some construction work has already taken place, visitors may not necessarily see a dramatic change in the appearance of the monkey enclosure.

And Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Gardens is a public zoo.

When a public institution receives money, it isn't as simple as the zoo director being able to take ¥70 million the next day, buy materials, hire workers, and completely remodel the monkey enclosure.

There is naturally an entire administrative process involving budgeting, design, procurement, construction, inspection, and acceptance of the completed work.

Now let's move on to the second question:

“Is the zoo making money from Punch?”

If the question is, “Has Ichikawa City used Punch's popularity to attract more resources?” then I would say: yes.

There is really no need to avoid acknowledging this.

In addition to direct donations, there have also been various initiatives involving hometown tax donations, LINE stickers, collaborative transportation passes, commemorative stamps, book collaborations, and other projects.

Punch's popularity has indeed been converted into resources that can support the zoo.

However, “using a popular animal to raise resources” does not, by itself, lead to the much more serious accusation of “profiting from the animal” or “personally enriching themselves.”

I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with a zoo using the popularity of a well-known animal to raise funds and then putting those resources toward animal care, environmental improvements, or facility operations.

What actually needs to be examined is how the zoo originally explained the intended use of the money, what items were ultimately included in the budget, which projects have been completed or are currently underway, and how the remaining funds are going to be used.

Those are the things that can actually be verified.

If someone can find evidence showing that Ichikawa City diverted the donations to purposes completely unrelated to what was originally announced, or that there were problems with the accounts, procurement, or expenditures, then of course those issues should be raised and examined.

But if what we currently have is simply:

“Punch is very popular.”

“The zoo has received a lot of donations.”

“There are many Punch-related products and collaboration projects.”

And:

“I went to the monkey enclosure and felt that it didn't look very different from before.”

I don't think these things, taken together, are enough to directly conclude that “Ichikawa City is simply exploiting Punch to collect money.”

Of course, that doesn't mean I think the zoo has already explained everything perfectly.

On the contrary, because the amount raised has already exceeded ¥70 million, and because many donors were willing to contribute specifically because of Punch, I actually believe Ichikawa City should continue to proactively disclose its actual expenditures, construction progress, remaining funds, and plans for future use.

The more transparent this information is, the better it is for the zoo itself.

So if someone asks:

“Why don't I see a monkey enclosure worth ¥70 million if more than ¥70 million was donated?”

My answer would be:

Because this money was never intended to be used entirely to build or renovate the monkey enclosure, nor was it restricted to use on Punch. And construction work at an animal exhibit cannot be judged simply by looking at how much the exterior appears to have changed.

Construction projects at a municipal zoo, budgetary procedures, and on-site work that has to accommodate the condition of the animals are all part of a fairly complex process.

Of course, these matters should continue to be monitored, and the zoo should be open to questions about how the donations are being used.

But oversight should ultimately be based on information that can be verified. We shouldn't simply see that the exterior of the monkey enclosure has not changed as much as expected and immediately interpret that as meaning the zoo has done nothing, or go a step further and accuse the zoo of simply exploiting Punch to collect money.

I think the most effective way to monitor a donation is not to start by guessing what the people who received the money are thinking.

Instead, we should go back and look at:

What was promised in the beginning?

What was actually budgeted?

What was ultimately done?

And where did the money actually go?

Ichikawa Zoo has explained for the nth time that Punch wasn’t being bullied. Yasunaga-san also spoke a little about Ryu, who, IMO, has actually integrated successfully into the troop. Yet people still love bringing him up as an example of how the zoo supposedly failed. Translated with ChatGPT.

September 11, 2026
By — emogram Editorial Department · Yunchi

Punch, a Japanese macaque at Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Chiba Prefecture, has been working hard toward joining the troop on the monkey mountain. During the Obon period in August this year, a video showing only part of a fight circulated on social media alongside rumors that “Punch appears to have been injured by the other monkeys on the monkey mountain.” This caused some fans to become concerned.

The zoo subsequently temporarily separated several monkeys and carefully explained the situation on its official X account. We asked Section Chief Takashi Yasunaga, who was involved in handling the situation, to look back on what happened at the time.

“Education” from the Mother Monkeys on the Monkey Mountain

First, Section Chief Yasunaga explained the circumstances surrounding Punch’s injury:

Section Chief Yasunaga: “There have been many occasions in the past when Punch was scolded by female monkeys, and there have also been times when his ears were bitten. There are various reasons for this. In some cases, Punch would mount one of the female’s babies and she would become angry with him. In other cases, Punch was not the cause of the incident at all, but happened to be near a fight between other individuals and got caught up in it.”

He continued:

Section Chief Yasunaga: “In all of these cases, including the incident in August, the keepers’ understanding was that Punch was not being persistently targeted or subjected to an attack that threatened his life. Of course, we treated his injuries properly, but the staff at the scene viewed the situation very calmly.”

The behavior Punch experienced was, in part, a kind of “discipline” from the mother monkeys trying to protect their babies within the troop. In other cases, he was simply caught up in the course of disputes between other monkeys.

Although it may have seemed unfair from Punch’s perspective, the keepers did not view it as the kind of malicious bullying in which the other monkeys were deliberately targeting Punch, as one might imagine in a human context.

Punch’s ear was photographed and posted on the zoo’s official X account when reports emerged that he had been injured.

The Story of a Male Monkey Who Previously Successfully Joined the Troop

There was another concern among some devoted fans.

Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Gardens previously had a male monkey who, like Punch, had been hand-reared by humans and eventually succeeded in joining the troop on the monkey mountain.

However, after growing into an adult male, he became involved in fights with other adult males within the troop and eventually died from injuries sustained during one of those fights.

Some fans who knew about this past incident apparently became worried when they heard about Punch’s injury and temporary separation, wondering whether, “Could the same thing happen to him?”

Punch lying down, perhaps waiting to be groomed.

“I Hope You Understand That These Are Completely Different Situations”

However, according to Section Chief Yasunaga, it would be unreasonable to connect the previous male monkey’s death with Punch’s injury.

Section Chief Yasunaga: “It is true that in the past, there was a male monkey who successfully joined the troop after being hand-reared and later died as a result of injuries sustained in a fight. That individual and Punch have the fact that they were both ‘hand-reared males’ in common, but based on our records, I believe the fact that this individual was involved in fights and the fact that Punch was scolded by female mother monkeys this time are completely separate matters.”

The circumstances surrounding the previous male monkey’s death involved what could essentially be described as a power struggle between adult males within the troop. By contrast, what Punch is experiencing now is behavior by mother monkeys attempting to protect their young. Their ages and circumstances are also different.

It is understandable that fans would associate the two incidents because they share the same characteristic of being individuals raised through hand-rearing. Nevertheless, Section Chief Yasunaga’s explanation seems to have been a thoughtful answer to fans who were worried about Punch.

Punch looking energetic on the monkey mountain despite the rain.

Writer’s Comment

When we see a shocking video, anyone can become alarmed. But I think it is important to remember that such a video captures only one brief moment from one long, long day on the monkey mountain.

I hope we can correctly understand the environment in which Punch is growing up and continue to watch over him calmly.

Seeing how there have been posts about the other monkey parks, like Awajishima and Takasakiyama, I’d like to plug Mt. Takao Monkey Park (article translated with ChatGPT) because I’ve always had a soft spot for this troop, especially its former alpha, Nessin, who passed away in 2025 at the age of 29.

I read that Nessin became the troop’s alpha at just eight years old, and that becoming alpha wasn’t simply about being the strongest or best fighter. It was also about the trust the troop had in him, and he had the absolute trust of both the male and female members of the troop. He had a particularly strong bond with Tento, one of the troop’s powerful females, and the babies loved him as well since Nessin was known for being exceptionally gentle and caring toward them.

In 2024, Nessin lost his eyesight, but that didn’t stop him from intervening when fights broke out. He would still go to help, relying only on sound to find his way. And because he could no longer see, the other mischievous monkeys would steal his food, so the keepers had to hand-feed him. There are some videos of Nessin eating on the park’s official channel, and I find his little “mukbang” videos strangely relaxing to watch.

Another thing I find fascinating about this troop is how attached they seem to be to their keepers. Some of them will beg the keepers for treats, or even try to steal them, and they seem to recognize and respond when the keepers call their names.

September 7, 2026
By — emogram Editorial Department · Yunchi

According to Ami Katagi, deputy director of Takao Monkey Park & Wildflower Garden in Hachioji, Tokyo, male Japanese macaques do not raise babies. Within the troop, it is the females—the mothers—who hold and protect the babies. But Takao Monkey Park had one male monkey who defied that conventional wisdom. He was Nessin, the troop’s former boss.

The Crying of a Baby Monkey Calling for Help

Katagi-san: “One time, the mother of a baby monkey named Taiyo got caught up in a major fight between the monkeys.”

The incident happened about two years ago, in the summer. According to Katagi, the mother was suddenly caught up in a fight. Because she was low in rank within the troop, she sensed that she was in danger and fled, leaving her baby behind.

Katagi-san: “The baby was left in the middle of the fighting and was crying desperately, but the mother was too frightened by what was happening around her to go and rescue him… That was the situation.”

The tiny baby monkey kept crying for help. But it was not his mother who came running.

While male Japanese macaques are generally not known to hold babies, the former boss Nessin (right) was photographed defying that norm by holding Taiyo (center) — from YouTube, “Takao Monkey Park & Wildflower Garden [Official].”

The Blind Boss Ran to Help

Katagi-san: “At the time, Nessin, who was the boss, was already elderly and had almost completely lost his sight. However, when he heard the baby crying, he ran into the middle of the trouble and tightly held the crying baby, Taiyo, in his arms to protect him.”

According to Katagi, Nessin was around 29 years old. Having already lost his eyesight, Nessin could not see where Taiyo was. He relied only on the baby’s cries, ran toward him, and then picked him up.

While male Japanese macaques are generally not known to hold babies, the former boss Nessin defied that norm by holding the baby Taiyo — from YouTube, “Takao Monkey Park & Wildflower Garden [Official].”

Katagi-san: “It really made me feel what a gentle monkey he was… In the first place, male monkeys rarely hold babies. I have been a keeper for many years, but I have never seen a male monkey hold and protect someone else’s baby like this, other than Nessin.”

Even Katagi-san:, who had spent many years observing monkeys, said she had never witnessed such a thing. That is how unusual Nessin’s behavior appears to have been.

He Wouldn’t Let Go, Even Though He Couldn’t See

In fact, there is video footage from that time showing Nessin holding Taiyo and protecting him. Nessin holds Taiyo against his chest, but the monkeys around them continue persistently bothering the baby.

Katagi-san: “Nessin was the boss, but in his later years he had lost his sight, so perhaps the monkeys around him had started to underestimate him a little, thinking, ‘It’s not as though Nessin can see us anyway.’”

The former boss Nessin (right) holds the crying baby Taiyo to protect him from the others — from YouTube, “Takao Monkey Park & Wildflower Garden [Official].”

Even so, Nessin quietly endured it and continued protecting Taiyo the entire time.

Katagi-san: “It may have had something to do with Taiyo himself being low in rank within the troop, but monkeys really do love babies, so another reason may simply be that everyone wanted to touch him.”

In the end, Taiyo’s mother came running over and safely took him back. And this behavior by Nessin was not a one-time occurrence.

Katagi-san: “The other monkeys continued bothering him afterward, but as far as the keepers were able to confirm, Nessin protected Taiyo about three times.”

Taiyo apparently had a tendency to be easily scolded and picked on by the other monkeys. Whenever his mother panicked after being scolded by another monkey, Nessin would repeatedly go over to help him.

The baby Taiyo (upper center), protected by boss Nessin, was eventually returned to his mother and spent time with his friends — from YouTube, “Takao Monkey Park & Wildflower Garden [Official].”

The Baby from That Day—How Is He Now?

The little life protected by Nessin has continued to grow up healthy.

Katagi-san: “Recently, he has grown into a very mischievous young monkey. When he sees humans, he has become the kind of energetic youngster who gets angry and calls out loudly, ‘Pii!’”

We do not know whether Taiyo remembers being protected by the blind boss. Even so, perhaps the small warmth of that little body on that day somehow helped lead to the lively monkey he is today.

Taiyo, who was a baby monkey back then, has now grown considerably — photo courtesy of Takao Monkey Park & Wildflower Garden.

Katagi-san: “It really is an extremely rare thing. I have never even heard of this happening at a monkey park at another zoo. Male Japanese macaques do not raise babies, so I really think Nessin was an exceptionally special and gentle monkey.”

Writer’s Comment

I had assumed that the boss of a monkey troop would simply be the strongest monkey, but apparently it is not that simple. There seem to be monkeys like Nessin, who are beloved by their companions because of their kindness, as well as monkeys like the current boss, Tororo, who are very popular with the females, have a large build, and are, so to speak, real “ladies’ monkeys.” Watching the society of the monkey troop, I was struck by how many similarities there are with human society, and it made me want to visit monkey troops all over Japan and observe them carefully.

Another article from Emogram. They seem to be releasing a few articles a day, but I’m only picking out the ones I think are worth sharing. The zoo has explained several times why they aren’t planting trees at monkey mountain, but people still keep asking about it. Anyway, this was translated with ChatGPT.

2026.09.04
By — emogram Editorial Department · Yunchi

At Ichikawa City Zoo in Chiba Prefecture, known for Punch-kun, construction work is being carried out from September 1 to September 18 to install shade structures and make other improvements to Monkey Mountain. Along with this work, Section Chief Takashi Yasunaga revealed some noteworthy information: “We are also considering making some changes to the viewing area itself, not just the inside of Monkey Mountain.” We asked him for more details about what those changes might involve.

A Small Renovation to the Viewing Area as Well

Section Chief Yasunaga: “As part of this construction, we are also planning to make some minor renovations to the viewing area, not just Monkey Mountain itself.”

Since Punch-kun became famous around the world, the viewing area has had barricades installed, followed by additional netting, making it currently somewhat difficult to get a clear view. However, these measures were put in place to protect the monkeys’ safety and reduce the stress caused by the attention of large numbers of visitors.

Section Chief Yasunaga: “Since February of this year, our staff have been trying different approaches with these barricades and nets. We have continued making adjustments with the safety and health of the monkeys as our top priority, but honestly, from the visitors’ perspective, iron-pipe barricades are rather bleak, and they don’t really fit the image of a fun zoo. We are also fully aware that there are various issues, such as difficulty seeing the monkeys and the viewing behavior of some visitors.”

Section Chief Yasunaga continued:

Section Chief Yasunaga: “We believe that this temporary closure for construction is an excellent opportunity to fundamentally change the viewing area and introduce a new way of viewing the monkeys. However, at this point, we cannot say what the new viewing area will look like or how the viewing experience will change.”

Although the specific details have not yet been revealed, it appears that the zoo is aiming to create an environment where many people can enjoy watching the monkeys. It seems we will have to wait until the construction is completed to find out exactly what the changes will be.

Punch-kun, a Japanese macaque working toward joining the troop. When he first began the integration process, he was often alone. (Photo: Yunchi)

Trees Cannot Be Planted in the Soil Area

As previously reported, a new area covered with soil rather than concrete (a dirt/soil area) is also planned inside Monkey Mountain. When we passed along fans’ requests to Section Chief Yasunaga that they would like to see trees planted there as well, he gave the following response.

Section Chief Yasunaga: “We are planning to create a soil area at Monkey Mountain as part of this construction. However, although we have received many requests saying, ‘Please plant some trees,’ planting trees would be difficult.”

It certainly seems like Punch-kun and the other monkeys would enjoy having trees inside Monkey Mountain.

Section Chief Yasunaga: “There are examples of zoos in Japan planting trees at monkey mountains. However, Japanese macaques love trees and leaves, so if there is a tree, they will immediately break off the branches and quickly strip and eat all the leaves. Many of you may have seen Punch holding tree branches in his mouth. Even if we planted trees in the new soil area, they would probably be reduced to a sorry state very quickly. Ultimately, it would be better to use the soil area as a place where the monkeys can dig and play with the ground, rather than planting trees there. Instead, we can bring in large branches with leaves from outside and place them there.”

It seems the reason the trees will not be “planted” but instead will be “brought in” by the keepers as needed is that, to the monkeys, trees are not simply part of the scenery—they are an irresistible meal.

The soil area therefore appears likely to be developed not so much as a green, tree-filled space, but as an area of ground where the monkeys can move around and interact with the soil.

Punch-kun, a Japanese macaque working toward joining the troop. He is often seen putting tree branches and leaves into his mouth. (Photo: Yunchi)

Writer’s Comments

I was initially a little surprised to hear that “planting trees would be difficult,” but once I heard the reason, it made sense. The monkeys finding trees and immediately tearing off and eating the leaves one after another is actually quite adorable. I’m also looking forward to seeing what form the renovated viewing area will take.

Another article from Emogram that I think is worth sharing as it gives some insight into what the zookeepers are focusing and working on during this period while the monkey mountain is closed. I've seen people asking the zoo to provide daily updates, such as 10–15 minutes of footage of Punch, and I'm actually glad the zoo isn't feeling pressured to accommodate those requests. Translated with ChatGPT

September 3, 2026
By — emogram Editorial Team / Yunchi

At Ichikawa City Zoo in Chiba Prefecture, which has become famous for Punch, viewing of the monkey mountain is temporary closed from September 1 through September 18. For fans, this is a period when they cannot see Punch, but what does this period mean for the zoo itself? We spoke with Section Chief Takashi Yasunaga of the zoo.

What Can Be Done Precisely Because There Are No Visitors Watching?

According to Section Chief Yasunaga, the area around the monkey mountain is being enclosed with fencing during the construction period, making it inaccessible to visitors except for the top of the mountain. Photography inside the monkey mountain area is also prohibited.

Ichikawa City Zoo's monkey mountain became internationally famous in February this year, and ever since then, it has continuously been surrounded by large numbers of visitors.

Section Chief Yasunaga: “We are grateful for all the attention, but it is also true that, when it comes to integrating Punch into the troop and caring for all the monkeys on the mountain, there were many things we wanted to do but simply couldn’t. For the keepers, I think this will be an opportunity to get back to their regular duties and to try various things that they haven’t been able to do.”

What, specifically, will they be able to do?

Section Chief Yasunaga: “Of course, there are the daily observations and feeding, but also organizing information on each individual, preparing for the Japanese macaques’ breeding season, which begins around October, and thinking about future care plans for each monkey... I’d like them to take their time and focus on things that they couldn’t calmly work on during the zoo’s regular days off.”

The monkey mountain where Punch is working toward joining the troop. The monkeys around his age can be seen happily playing together. — Ichikawa City Zoo, Chiba Prefecture (Photo: Yunchi)

“Honestly, We Haven’t Really Thought About” Posting on Social Media

During the period when the monkeys cannot be viewed, some fans have posted comments such as, “It’s so lonely not being able to see Punch” and “I wish the zoo would stream something on its official X account.” However, regarding this, Section Chief Yasunaga said, “Honestly, we haven’t really thought about it.”

Section Chief Yasunaga: “We’re aware that many people are expecting videos and updates from the zoo. But for the keepers, this is an excellent opportunity to concentrate on work they’ve wanted to do but haven’t been able to. So, from my perspective, I don’t want to place any additional burden on them by having them film and edit videos specifically for the official X account. I’d rather see how their workload goes for a while and then decide.”

However, there appears to be one exception: the familiar “Find Punch” feature on the zoo’s official X account, a favorite among fans. In these posts, viewers are asked to find Punch in a photo showing the entire monkey mountain. Since Section Chief Yasunaga himself has traditionally been responsible for these posts, there is a possibility that he can continue doing them without adding any extra work for the keepers.

Section Chief Yasunaga: “If it’s ‘Find Punch,’ I can do it myself without bothering the keepers, so I might post one... That said, I’ll have all sorts of other duties waiting for me during this period too. I can’t make any promises, but perhaps you could wait with modest expectations... (laughs).”

The three weeks during which fans cannot see Punch appear to be a valuable period for the zoo and its keepers to get back to their “regular duties.”

Many monkeys live on the monkey mountain where Punch is working toward joining the troop. — Ichikawa City Zoo, Chiba Prefecture (Photo: Yunchi)

Writer’s Comment

When I hear about temporary closure of the monkey mountain, it’s easy to focus only on the negative aspect of “a period when we can’t see them.” But learning that the zoo is using this time to work on things that need to be addressed while they have the opportunity has changed my perspective a little.

For now, I’ll look through the photos of Punch I’ve taken over time and wait for the day I can see him again.

Kiyo-san is back with another new article. Translated with ChatGPT.

Hello, this is kiyo.

We won’t be able to see Punch for a while, will we? I’m sure many people are looking forward to the day visits resume. I feel the same way.

When I watch the videos of Punch that everyone has been posting, I sometimes see scenes where he purses his lips and makes a “poo” sound.

The calls of Japanese macaques each have their own meanings.

When I say they have meanings, some people might misunderstand this as being similar to human speech or conversation. However, they are by no means having conversations. Rather, their emotional state is expressed through their calls.

Macaques do communicate with one another through vocalizations, so as a result, they can engage in exchanges that may seem somewhat like a conversation. However, these are ultimately very simple exchanges of emotions.

Now, when a young macaque purses its lips and makes a “poo” sound, this is something they generally do only until around one year of age at most.

Yesterday, I posted a video of an orphaned baby macaque in circumstances similar to Punch’s. In that video, there are many scenes where the baby also purses its lips and makes the same “poo” sound.

https://preview.redd.it/zs1o13i08ymh1.png?width=1529&format=png&auto=webp&s=24ad3a6c2be6b240e19aa7bcdf6f543b64186f2f

https://preview.redd.it/zvechhb98ymh1.png?width=1530&format=png&auto=webp&s=c95c92f870419d1e43e2e933ce0b95a591c2416b

https://preview.redd.it/l7xs6xub8ymh1.png?width=1523&format=png&auto=webp&s=fd1f341d59507b184e40f66c48c9922b24e217c6

Punch also makes this same kind of pursed-lip call, and I’m sure many of you have seen him doing it.

So, what emotion is he expressing when he does this?

I think this recorded footage is the easiest way to understand it, so please take a look.

Video at beginning of article

This is a video of a baby who has been separated from its mother and is desperately searching for her.

The baby keeps looking around and calling desperately.

In other words, this is the call of a young macaque searching for its mother and calling out to her.

The other day, I showed you a video of a white-haired baby macaque being attacked. That baby was also making the same pursed-lip call.

It can specifically mean that the baby is calling for its mother, but this vocalization is also used simply when the baby is seeking help from those around it.

It is a vocalization that comes from feelings of anxiety and loneliness.

Neither Punch nor the baby I posted about yesterday has a mother.

I think both Punch and yesterday’s baby understand that their mothers are not there.

For that reason, they do not make the same desperate calls as the baby in this video.

The baby in this video is calling desperately in hopes that its mother will find it. Punch and yesterday’s baby, on the other hand, probably make these calls unconsciously.

It is instinctive. Their calls are not particularly loud, and they do not make them very often.

However, the fact that they still instinctively make this call means that, deep down, they are still seeking their mothers.

Punch has already turned one. He is a boy. He has also become quite accustomed to the troop.

But even so, he is still only one year old.

That said, in Punch’s case, because he is living in a zoo environment, we also need to consider another possible meaning.

If he is making this call while facing the door that the keepers use to enter and exit, then it may simply be a plaintive, attention-seeking call because he wants the keeper to come to him.

In any case, when you see Punch still pursing his lips and making that “poo” sound, please remember that he is still feeling anxious and that he still wants someone to comfort and care for him.

But don’t worry.

As Punch himself gradually becomes more settled, these calls should naturally become less frequent.

Author's note:

＊ Unless otherwise noted, the header image, images in the article, and videos were all taken by me personally.

＊ I have compiled articles about each species of wild animal into separate magazines. Please take a look at the previous posts as well.

Punch, a Japanese macaque, struggles to join the group at Ichikawa City Zoological and Botanical Garden in Chiba Prefecture (Photo by Yunchi)

Article from Emogram explaining more about monkey mountain upgrading work

September 1, 2026
By Yunchi, emogram Editorial Department

At Ichikawa City Zoo in Chiba Prefecture, which is known for Punch, viewing of the monkey mountain was suspended starting September 1. The suspension is due to construction work, including the installation of sunshades, and is scheduled to continue through September 18. Some people may wonder, “Does something like this really take that long?” since the work is expected to take about three weeks. We spoke with Section Chief Takashi Yasunaga of the zoo about what the construction involves and why it is taking so many days.

We Asked for More Details About the Construction

First, Section Chief Yasunaga explained what the construction will involve.

Section Chief Yasunaga: “As approved by the Ichikawa City Council in the supplementary budget in June, we will install two new sunshades inside the monkey mountain. We also plan to create areas with soil or wood chips. Essentially, we are adding these facilities to the existing monkey mountain. The structure and overall appearance of the monkey mountain will not change dramatically.”

Some people may have imagined a major renovation, but this is actually a project to add new facilities to the existing monkey mountain.

Why They Chose Not to Undertake a Major Renovation

Some may wonder, “Why not take this opportunity to carry out a more extensive renovation?” Section Chief Yasunaga explained why they deliberately chose not to do so.

Section Chief Yasunaga: “We are currently at an important stage as we prepare to introduce Punch to the troop. As we mentioned in the statement we issued on February 25, titled ‘Regarding the Health Condition of the Japanese Macaque and the Facility Environment,’ carrying out a large-scale renovation that drastically changes the environment of the monkey mountain at this particular time could have a greater impact in the form of stress caused by environmental changes. Therefore, this construction is limited to improvements to the existing monkey mountain, focusing on measures against the heat and expanding the monkeys’ living space.”

Punch the Japanese macaque, as efforts continue to introduce him to the troop, at Ichikawa City Zoo in Chiba Prefecture (Photo: Yunchi)

Why Does It Take Three Weeks?

During the construction period, visitors will not be able to see Punch and the other monkeys. We also asked about the question many fans have been wondering about: “Why does it take three weeks?”

Section Chief Yasunaga: “Actually, we won’t be working every day for those three weeks. When work is being carried out, the workers have to enter the monkey mountain, which means the monkeys need to be housed in the back area during that time. If we did that every day, it would cause them considerable stress. Just as we do with their daily care, we want to carry out the construction at the monkeys’ pace.”

Does that mean there will be days during the three-week period when no construction work takes place?

Section Chief Yasunaga: “The work itself is not particularly difficult, but we will leave sufficient intervals between workdays. On days when there is no work, the monkeys will be allowed to use the area as usual. In fact, workers will enter the monkey mountain and carry out construction for only a few days during the three-week period. Therefore, we also have to take into account the possibility that the construction schedule could be pushed back if the scheduled workdays are affected by bad weather.”

It has become clear that the extended schedule is not because the construction is progressing slowly. Rather, the work is being carried out while protecting the monkeys’ daily routine as much as possible.

Writer’s Comment

When I heard that the construction period would be “three weeks,” I thought it sounded quite long. Now I understand that this is because the monkeys’ pace is being given the highest priority. I am curious to see how the construction progresses, but more than anything, I am relieved to know that the monkeys should be able to continue their lives as peacefully as possible. I am already looking forward to seeing what the new monkey mountain will look like.

The zoo has released an edited version of the video that was shown during Punch’s birthday card exhibition. Translation of the video description using ChatGPT.

Meet Punch, a Japanese macaque living at the Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Gardens. From shortly after he was born, Punch spent his days with a stuffed toy, growing alongside his keeper and gradually becoming part of the troop.

We documented Punch’s growth over the course of about a year.

This video was originally shown exclusively at the “Punch, You’re Doing Great! — Messages from Everyone” exhibition, held to celebrate Punch’s first birthday. With the event now concluded, the video is also being released on YouTube.

From the day Punch was first filmed, through his days with his keeper, to the life he now shares with his fellow monkeys—please watch all the way through to see the 365 days of Punch’s journey.

Jay is a zookeeper at Taipei Zoo who has written several articles that I’ve found quite interesting, including this one about how a public zoo uses its funds, so I decided to share it here. I hope this provides some insight for those who wonder why there hasn’t been much improvement to the zoo’s facilities, despite Punch bringing in so much revenue (which isn't exactly true). You can find the original post on his Threads account here. Translated with the help of ChatGPT (because it'll take me forever to do it).

Because Punch at Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Gardens has received so much attention, it has not only brought in a considerable number of visitors, but has also led to the zoo receiving quite a few donations. As attention has grown, I have also seen many people begin to make a very intuitive criticism:

“Punch has brought so many visitors to the zoo and generated so many donations. Why hasn’t Monkey Mountain still been improved in the way everyone expects? The zoo has made so much money because of Punch, yet it still isn’t willing to spend that money on him!”

But there is actually an easily overlooked premise here: the way a municipal zoo operates is very different from that of a private zoo, an amusement park, or even an ordinary company.

First, however, I want to clarify that I am not a staff member of Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Gardens, and I do not know the full details of Ichikawa City’s internal budgeting, procurement, and administrative procedures. Therefore, I will not assume that the system in Ichikawa City is exactly the same as that of Taipei City.

With that said, I would like to use the Taipei Zoo, where I work, as an example to explain why, for a public zoo, “there have recently been a lot of visitors,” “revenue has increased,” and “the zoo has received many donations” are actually completely different things from “the zoo now has a sum of money that it can immediately use to renovate a particular exhibit.”

1. Does an increase in visitors mean that the zoo suddenly has extra money it can freely use?

If it were a private company and business suddenly became extremely good one month, with several million dollars more in its account, it might genuinely be able to decide, “Okay, let’s use some of it to renovate the building.”

But that is not how a public zoo operates.

Take Taipei Zoo as an example. For fiscal year 2026, its projected annual revenue is approximately NT$240 million, while its projected annual expenditure is approximately NT$720 million.

In other words, the money the zoo generates itself amounts to only about one-third of its annual expenditures. Its own revenue alone is inherently insufficient to support the operation of the entire zoo. The remaining operating funds have to be provided through the government budget.

A public zoo is not simply a facility whose purpose is to make a profit from ticket sales. In addition to providing recreation and entertainment, it also has educational, conservation, research, and public-service functions. Therefore, it is not simply a business that relies on ticket revenue to generate profits and operates entirely on its own income.

Furthermore, in the case of Taipei Zoo, ticket revenue does not simply remain in the zoo’s own account for the zoo administration to spend however it wishes. The revenue has to be remitted to the city treasury. How much the zoo can actually spend, and what it can spend it on, still depends on the government’s annual budget planning and execution.

Therefore, even if a huge number of visitors suddenly arrive on a particular day, monthly revenue surges, or annual ticket revenue ends up far higher than expected, it cannot simply be understood as: “The zoo now has a bunch of extra money that it can immediately use to build a new exhibit.”

2. Are the zoo’s expenses limited to feed, medical care, and animal exhibits?

When people hear “zoo expenses,” most probably think of animal feed, the salaries of animal-care staff, veterinary treatment, and repairs to animal exhibits. All of these are, of course, very important.

But the things that actually have to be maintained every day to keep a large zoo operating are far more complicated than what visitors see on the surface.

Animals need food, water, and veterinary care. But the freezers cannot break down, drainage systems cannot become clogged, fences and locks cannot fail, and fire-safety equipment needs regular maintenance. Air conditioning, water pumps, lighting, and various life-support systems also cannot simply be switched off whenever someone wants.

There are also roads, public restrooms, garbage collection, environmental cleaning, information systems, security, educational outreach, research projects, animal transportation, disease prevention and quarantine, as well as all kinds of logistical systems that visitors hardly ever notice.

Moreover, these expenses cannot necessarily be predicted completely in advance. A single typhoon or earthquake can create a large amount of repair work in a short period of time. Fallen trees have to be cleared, fences may be damaged, roads and drainage systems may require emergency repairs, and electrical or mechanical equipment may need to be inspected or replaced. Some of these issues involve visitor safety, while others are directly related to preventing animals from escaping and ensuring their care. They cannot simply be left unattended.

So whether “money has been spent on the animals” cannot really be judged simply by asking, “Have I seen a beautiful new exhibit?”

Many necessary expenditures do not result in a new facility that visitors can see, and deciding where limited funds should be prioritized does not necessarily align with the areas that visitors most want to see improved.

3. If you donate money, can you decide how that money is used?

Donations are indeed not exactly the same as ordinary revenue or government-allocated budget funds. Many donations are made for specific purposes, such as animal care, conservation research, medical treatment, environmental improvements, or related facilities. Therefore, their permitted uses are often more clearly defined than those of ordinary revenue.

But that does not mean, “I donated the money, so it must be used exactly the way I specify.” A donation is not an investment or a purchase of shares, nor does pooling everyone’s money give donors the right to collectively decide how the zoo’s next construction project should be designed.

Take Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Gardens’ current “#がんばれパンチ” (“#HangInTherePunch”) donation campaign as an example. According to the official description, the donations are intended for animal-environment improvements at Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Gardens, with Punch as the main focus, as well as facility management and other operational activities.

It is not a project where “all donations will be used to rebuild Punch’s Monkey Mountain” or “buy Punch all kinds of premium fruits and vegetables.”

Therefore, people can certainly hope that the increased support generated by Punch will ultimately be directed toward animal welfare and improvements to the zoo, and they can continue to pay attention to how the zoo plans to use these resources.

But “supporting a particular purpose” and “having decision-making authority over how that purpose is carried out” are two different things.

A donation can express support, but it does not mean that the donor thereby gains decision-making authority over the zoo’s construction or management.

4. If the zoo decides to renovate an exhibit, can construction begin immediately?

Suppose the zoo genuinely decides today that a particular animal exhibit needs to be completely rebuilt. The next step is not for the zoo director to pick up the phone and call a construction company saying, “Come tear this down and rebuild it next week.”

Construction projects at public zoos also have to follow procedures related to public works and government procurement. Before actual construction can begin, the zoo first has to determine exactly what needs to be changed, why it needs to be changed, how it ranks in priority compared with other projects, and approximately how much the project will cost.

Then there is budget planning, review and approval, design, tendering, contract awarding, and, once construction actually begins, supervision and inspection.

For a relatively large animal-exhibit renovation, it is by no means unusual for several years to pass between “everyone knows this area should be improved” and the project actually being completed.

Public construction projects can also encounter many practical problems.

For example, the budget may not be approved, the design may need to be revised, a tender may fail to attract a suitable bidder, a contractor may not meet the qualifications, construction costs may rise, or unexpected problems may arise during construction.

These administrative procedures can certainly make people feel that things are moving too slowly, and it is reasonable to review whether there have been unnecessary delays. Sometimes it is not only visitors who are anxious. On-site staff, including animal-care staff, may also have to look at aging facilities every day while having no choice but to wait for the budget, design, tendering, and construction processes to move forward step by step.

But wanting to improve something and being able to improve it immediately are, after all, two different things.

Therefore, we cannot simply conclude that “the zoo doesn’t want to do it” just because construction has not immediately begun.

5. Does animal care simply stop during construction?

Everything discussed above is still only about the problems that can arise with ordinary public construction projects.

A zoo has one additional and extremely important limitation: “The care and welfare needs of the animals cannot be put on hold during construction.”

When renovating an ordinary office, employees can be moved to another floor. When a store needs to be remodeled, it can simply close for a month. If one section of a park is under construction, that area can be fenced off and visitors can be kept out.

But animals cannot simply be “put away” because their exhibit or enclosure needs to be renovated.

If an animal exhibit is going to undergo a complete renovation, the first very practical questions are:

Does the zoo have a suitable temporary space for the animals? Do the escape-prevention facilities meet the needs of the species?

Will temporarily relocating the animals cause interference with animals that normally live nearby? If the animals are social, should the group be split up, and could that create additional social stress?

If the animals are raising young, breeding, elderly and receiving geriatric care, or have special medical needs, is this really an appropriate time to move them?

Even the act of “moving house” itself can be a risk that needs to be carefully assessed for certain animals. For large animals such as elephants in particular, determining when they can safely be transported, how they should be transported, what risks are involved, and what safety measures are required can itself become a major project.

Furthermore, even if the construction area and the animals are not in the same location, it cannot simply be treated as though nothing is happening.

Excavators, drilling, metal cutting, vibrations, dust, and large numbers of unfamiliar construction workers coming and going can all affect nearby animals.

Some animals may not care at all, while others may experience significant stress, which can in turn affect their health and welfare.

All of this has to be discussed, assessed, and planned in advance, rather than waiting until construction has begun to see what happens.

And even when construction is finished, that does not mean the animals can immediately be put back in, with the zoo reopening to visitors the next day.

The new escape-prevention facilities need to be inspected and confirmed, the animal-care staff’s work routes need to be tested in practice, staff need to become familiar with the new management procedures, and the animals themselves may need time to gradually adapt to their new environment.

So a project that appears to be simply “making an old exhibit look nicer” may actually involve a great many issues related to animal management and welfare.

Finally, I want to emphasize that I am not saying that “zoos should not be held accountable.”

Public zoos use public resources and should, by their very nature, be subject to public oversight. Zoo administrations also have a responsibility to explain their improvement plans, how resources are being used, and the progress of construction projects.

If an exhibit is genuinely old and no longer meets modern animal-welfare standards, then of course it is reasonable to demand improvements.

But before criticizing, it may be worth first determining exactly which part of the process you are criticizing.

Is it that the zoo has not recognized the problem at all?

Or does it already know about the problem but has not yet obtained the necessary budget?

Does it already have the budget but is still in the design stage?

Is it currently going through the tendering process but unable to find a suitable contractor?

Has the project already been planned but become stuck because of the need to find suitable accommodation for the animals?

Or has there genuinely been no reasonable progress for a long period of time?

These are, in fact, completely different problems.

Going back to the original question: when we see a particular animal suddenly bringing in huge numbers of visitors, increasing ticket revenue, and generating a large amount of donations, it is very easy to have the intuitive reaction: “If there’s so much money, why don’t they hurry up and rebuild his home?”

But for a municipal zoo:

A sudden surge in visitors does not mean that the zoo administration suddenly has a pool of money it can freely spend; receiving donations does not mean that donors gain decision-making authority over construction projects; having construction funds does not mean construction can begin tomorrow; and being able to carry out construction does not mean that the animals’ care and welfare needs can simply be put on hold.

So rather than simply asking, “Punch has made you so much money, so why haven’t you rebuilt Monkey Mountain?”

Perhaps a more worthwhile question would be:

“Does Monkey Mountain currently have an improvement plan? What stage has it reached? And if it has not yet been completed, what is the actual reason it is being held up?”

Those questions may be closer to understanding how a municipal zoo actually operates.

New note from Kiyo-san. Translated with ChatGPT. This reminded me of a video I saw quite a while ago on Takuma-kun from Takasakiyama Monkey Park. The park only intervened when Takuma-kun almost lost his life from an injury and he was also lucky to finally found a surrogate who took care of him.

Hello, this is kiyo.

I wonder how Punch is doing. Is he hanging in there?
With everyone’s warm support, I’m sure he’s growing and developing well.

There are actually quite a few cases of young macaques like Punch who end up in unfortunate circumstances and become orphans within their troop.
There have been cases like this at Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Gardens in the past as well.

The scene I’m introducing this time is of an orphaned baby macaque who was living at Jigokudani Monkey Park in Yamanouchi, Nagano Prefecture, a tourist facility where wild Japanese macaques are fed. I used to visit this place regularly.

The baby was only about six months old.
He must have been raised by his mother when he was born, but one day his mother disappeared—whether she died in an accident or from illness, I don’t know. He was probably her first baby, and he was left all alone.
From that day on, this little baby had to survive on his own.

Like Punch, this baby was also a boy. But because he felt lonely and frightened, even when other babies and young macaques came over to him as if saying, “Come play with us,” he couldn’t fit in with them. Anxious and unsure of what to do, he often stayed near unfamiliar adults instead. But the adults paid no attention to an unfamiliar baby.

After the adults and their families moved away, he would once again stand there all alone, just by himself for a long time.

It’s a somewhat heartbreaking story.
I hope you’ll watch it while comparing it with what Punch is going through now.

Video is at beginning of article. Before someone brings this up, yes, this is NOT Punch.

This is a monkey park where wild Japanese macaques are fed; it is not a zoo.

A monkey park does not have the authority to engage in acts of captivity or care, such as protecting or providing medical care to wild animals.
In the first place, the wild Japanese macaques being fed here are not the property of the monkey park.

Wild animals are managed by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment and the Regional Environment Offices under its jurisdiction. The company operating the monkey park is only permitted, with authorization from the Ministry of the Environment, to provide food in a prescribed manner, manage the facilities on the premises, and establish and enforce rules for visitor safety.

This is the biggest difference between a monkey park and a zoo.

Therefore, at a monkey park, it is not possible to protect a poor little baby like this inside the facility in the way Punch has been protected.

However, this story did not end in tragedy.
Please watch the final scene.

About two months after this footage was filmed, the baby found an “older sister” he could rely on.
Of course, they were not related by blood at all. She was a female juvenile macaque just one or two years older than him.
Through this, a relationship in which they could rely on and support each other was formed.

Before long, this older-sister macaque’s older sister and friends also began looking after the baby, and eventually, the mother of those older girls accepted him as well.

It was already the end of November.
In December, Jigokudani becomes covered in deep snow. Before the extremely harsh winter arrived, the baby had managed to find, on his own, older companions he could rely on.

The reason I say, “It’s going to be okay. Punch will surely be able to join a troop and find his own place within it,” comes from my own experience of having watched many babies and young macaques like these.

Punch will be okay too.
There are many babies and young macaques who have grown up experiencing loneliness and hardship when they were young.
Even so, they had no choice but to keep living.
And they all managed to grow up.
That’s why, Punch, hang in there!

However, their society has its own way of doing things, so human interference should be kept to a minimum.
Above all, I think it is best to trust Punch’s independence and let Punch himself find his own way.

Author's Note:
＊ Unless otherwise noted, the header image, images within the article, and videos were all taken by me personally.

＊ I have compiled articles about each species of wild animal into magazines. Please take a look at the past articles as well.

New note from Kiyo-san. Translated with ChatGPT

Hello, this is kiyo.

This is part of my “Go for it, Punch!” support series. I support Punch from a slightly different perspective, in my own way.

What I normally observe are completely wild Japanese macaques.

I am often told by various people that it is wrong to discuss wild Japanese macaques and zoo-housed Japanese macaques on the same footing.

There are certainly many differences.

Of course, I understand that.

I have no intention of comparing aspects that differ between wild and captive settings as though they were the same.

However, from the moment they are born, their innate instincts and basic behavioral ecology are the same.

“Why do zoos build monkey mountains for their Japanese macaques?”

Zoos build monkey mountains in order to recreate nature, even if only partially, and to allow visitors to experience something close to the animals’ natural state.

Please watch this video.

This is the main area where I conduct my observations: wild Japanese macaques living in a gorge in the northernmost part of Nagano Prefecture.

Video at beginning of article

Zoos are located in cities where families can easily visit, but I believe they make every effort to show the animals as they would naturally live in the wild, as much as possible.

The question, then, is why they release the monkeys into a troop on a monkey mountain rather than keeping them in cages or on leashes.

I think you can understand why I say that a zoo’s monkey mountain is a miniature version of a wild environment by comparing the wild environment shown in this video with a zoo’s monkey mountain.

In fact, depending on how you look at it, I think a zoo’s monkey mountain can recreate a wild habitat much better than the feeding areas at many of Japan’s wild monkey parks.

Of course, the people who come to the zoo to see Punch have all sorts of different feelings toward him, and I think the overwhelming majority support Punch with the affection one would have for a pet.

I think that is perfectly fine.

Everyone has their own way of relating to monkeys.

I see Punch as something like a textbook through which we can learn about the behavior and development of male Japanese macaques.

I think it would be interesting to watch Punch’s future development as a male while comparing him with the various young male wild Japanese macaques that I show you.

Now, I have never been to Ichikawa City Zoological & Botanical Gardens, nor have I ever seen Punch in person.

You all know much more about Punch than I do. All I can do is watch videos of Punch that appear in my social media recommendations and imagine what his current situation might be.

I would be grateful if you could tell me what you know.

Previously, I made a post about “mounting,” and I wrote, “I wonder if Punch probably hasn’t mounted anyone yet?”

Then, through comments and messages, people told me that Punch had already been engaging in mounting behavior.

So, if that is the case, what do we make of it?

My feeling is that if Punch has already mounted multiple monkeys and they have accepted the behavior,

“Punch has already been accepted into the troop.”

That is how I would interpret it.

But how does the zoo define the conditions for being accepted into the troop?

Has the zoo officially announced what state they consider to mean that he has successfully joined the troop?

Or have they announced something like, “We will make an announcement when we determine that he has been accepted into the troop”?

Mounting is a sign of affection, and among young monkeys, it is a behavior symbolizing a strong sense of camaraderie.

I have witnessed scenes where two wild Japanese macaque troops merge many times, and although monkeys from neighboring troops do not actually fight with each other, they absolutely do not mount one another either.

As for whether Punch has already been accepted into the troop, I will leave that judgment to those of you who observe Punch directly every day.

(The fact that he is occasionally attacked does not mean that he has not been accepted into the troop. Monkeys can certainly be attacked even after joining a troop.)

But I would really like to see discussions on social media about the possibility that Punch may already have been accepted into the troop.

The people who know the most about Punch’s current situation are those of you who observe him every day.

What I am talking about is merely general behavior, and whether Punch actually fits that pattern is a separate question.

If mounting has already occurred many times, then grooming must also be taking place.

(Mounting indicates a higher degree of intimacy than grooming.)

Speaking in general terms, I would think, “Well, that means he has already been accepted into the troop, doesn’t it?”

But what do the zoo staff and all of you who observe him think?

Author's note:

* Unless otherwise noted, the header image and all images and videos in the article were taken by me personally.

* I have compiled articles about each type of wild animal into magazines. Please take a look at the previous posts as well.

Credit goes to yuki811120 of Threads for taking the trouble of creating this list. Some are not updated as frequently while others may include videos of animals other than Punch.

P.S. I can't figure out a better way to post this so if anyone has any suggestions, let me know and I'll clean this up.

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https://preview.redd.it/yfuc5wbfs9kh1.png?width=714&format=png&auto=webp&s=07bb0b0662dd9d3915eb24c2058369a65ffc1f4d

https://www.youtube.com/@kina86-784

https://preview.redd.it/wxvcqcuct9kh1.png?width=446&format=png&auto=webp&s=e105d60cf0626f8880561aa5de7231ad82cd4774

https://www.youtube.com/@sato6v6

https://preview.redd.it/xkghn2dlu9kh1.png?width=426&format=png&auto=webp&s=40ec56e574515cc062635273fbe366a7bdc38eb1

The rest since I can't add more images
https://www.youtube.com/@japan-jg3ys
https://www.youtube.com/@life_is_success
https://www.youtube.com/@zoo-at-home
https://www.youtube.com/@yumitube000
https://www.youtube.com/@kei.drone.aerial
https://www.youtube.com/@kurashi_to_inu