A beloved baby monkey who captured hearts worldwide for clinging to a stuffed toy is back in the spotlight — this time after a viral clip showed him being pulled by members of his troop.

Punch-kun, the orphaned Japanese macaque living at Ichikawa City Zoological and Botanical Gardens in Japan, recently appeared in a widely shared video posted on X that showed an adult monkey dragging him across the ground. The clip, which has garnered more than 1.2 million views, prompted concern among fans who have followed Punch’s journey since he went viral last year.

After the footage circulated online, the zoo issued a detailed statement on Feb. 20 explaining what caretakers say actually occurred — and reassuring viewers about Punch’s well-being.

According to zookeepers, the moment began when Punch approached another infant monkey in an attempt to interact. When the baby avoided him, Punch sat down nearby. An adult female — believed to be the other infant’s mother — then intervened.

“The adult monkey that dragged Punch is probably the mother of the monkey with whom Punch tried to communicate,” the zoo said in its statement. “She probably felt that her baby was annoyed by Punch and got upset.”

Caretakers described the behavior as a normal form of discipline within macaque social groups, noting that Punch has experienced similar corrections before, as he learns to navigate troop dynamics.

“Punch has been scolded by other monkeys many times in the past and has learned how to socialize with them,” the zoo said. “Although Punch has been scolded many times by other monkeys, no single monkey has shown serious aggression toward him.”

The now-viral video also shows Punch running to his stuffed orangutan toy immediately after the interaction — an object he famously bonded with while struggling to integrate socially after being abandoned by his mother at birth in July 2025. But caretakers said that moment, too, fits his typical behavior.

“In the video, Punch runs to his stuffed orangutan toy after being dragged,” the zoo said. “However, as usual, he left the stuffed toy after a short while and was communicating with other monkeys.”

Staff added that Punch’s behavior later in the day appeared completely normal, including during scheduled feedings. “During feeding time at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m., Punch acted no differently than on any other day,” the statement said.

While some viewers interpreted the clip as bullying, the zoo said that challenges like these were expected as part of integrating an orphaned macaque into an established troop — a process that can take time and social correction from other members.

“In order to integrate Punch into other Japanese monkey troops, we anticipated that this kind of challenge may arise,” the zoo said.

Caretakers also highlighted what they described as Punch’s resilience, encouraging supporters to view the moment as part of his development rather than a setback.

“While Punch is scolded, he shows resilience and mental strength,” the zoo said. “When you observe these disciplinary behaviors … we would like you to support Punch’s effort rather than feel sorry for him.”

The update comes months after Punch first went viral for carrying his stuffed companion throughout the enclosure — a coping behavior introduced by keepers when he struggled to bond with other monkeys. Since then, the zoo has shared periodic updates showing gradual progress in his socialization.

For fans worried by the recent footage, caretakers’ message was clear: Punch is still learning, still connecting — and still moving forward, one interaction at a time.