Is Punch outgrowing his faithful plushie Mo? The bittersweet update on the viral snow monkey
The internet isn't quite ready to believe that the monkey has new friends
Punch, the baby Japanese macaque, became a symbol of hope for many chronic social media users. Videos of him clutching a stuffed orangutan, named Mo, went viral, offering one of the most heartwarming moments amid widespread uncertainty and unrest in the world.
And perhaps, that's why the internet isn't quite ready to believe that Punch might...have outgrown his plushie, as latest news suggests. In a new video going viral, the caption suggests something has 'reportedly' changed between the two. Punch isn't curling up beside her, like he used to. Moreover, he might have also made actual, real friends.
In response, one user commented on the video, "Please don’t spread fake news, nothing changed between them still playing still hugging." Others flooded with 'No', and made jokes about the monkey,
Another, however gave a reality check: "Stop believing everything you read you guys. This is old footage. Punch is barely seen with his plushie and is hanging with Atomar and a few more monkeys these days."
So, what's the truth? Is it a punch in the gut...okay sorry.
Punch's underdog story has heart. Abandoned by his mother and rejected by his troop, he found comfort in a stuffed orangutan that became his best friend, sidekick, and emotional security blanket. The photos of a tiny, wide-eyed monkey seeking solace in a stuffed animal are what originally catapulted him to global fame.
Well, Punch has grown up. He is now befriending fellow macaques. The plushie is still in the background, but it’s no longer the center of his world.
As quoted by BBC, Takashi Yasunaga, head of Ichikawa Zoo and gardens division said that Punch is trying his best to make new friends: "Recently, he has started to actively approach the other monkeys on his own, trying to communicate with them, and actually playing together with them."
"We've been seeing many more scenes like that, and as caretakers, we find that very encouraging."
So folks, we know it's hard but the good news, Punch is doing well He’s no longer the little monkey glued to a plushie; he’s making friends, learning the ropes of macaque life, and moving on.
Here’s to Punch: the snow monkey who grew up, moved on, and reminded us all that sometimes the cutest thing you can do is grow into your own story.
