BABY MONKEY REJECTED BY MUM FINDS COMFORT IN TOY <br />WITH PIX AND VID<br />By Shuk Yee Tsang<br />A baby monkey who was apparently rejected by his mum has been filmed cuddling and carrying around a soft toy, treating it like a surrogate mother.<br />Punch, a young Japanese macaque, was seen gently cradling a small toy monkey, holding it close and accompanying it carefully around his enclosure.<br />Yuriko Sano, 60-year-old from Japan captured the moment in her home country, hopes to continue quietly following his progress during her regular visits to the macaque parks.<br />Punch was separated from his mother early in life and has often spent time with his soft toy instead.<br />The toy was provided for comfort during hand-raising, and Yuriko says he chose it himself.<br />Yuriko shares that while cases like this are not common, a similar situation was previously reported at the same park, where a hand-raised infant later grew up successfully within the troop.<br />The 60-year-old said: “The videos show Punch gently holding and interacting with a small toy monkey.<br />“He treats it with surprising care, often cradling or carrying it as if it were something precious.<br />“When I met him for the first time, he was with the small orangutan toy and appeared to be alone. However, to me, the toy felt like a comforting presence beside him.<br />“Rather than seeming lonely, he looked like a small infant living safely and peacefully.<br />“When I saw Punch with the toy, it felt like a moment worth sharing with others.<br />“From what I have seen and followed online, this does not appear to be a common sight.<br />“The toy was provided for comfort during hand-raising, and Punch chose it himself.<br />“I hope to visit from time to time to quietly follow his progress.”<br />END
