Rejected by his mother, Punch the monkey found comfort in a toy; Here’s the science behind maternal abandonment

It all began with a series of heartbreaking videos. Clips of a tiny Japanese macaque being chased, dragged and pushed away by older monkeys at a zoo in Japan spread rapidly across social media. The baby, named Punch, would often run to a quiet corner, clutching a stuffed orangutan toy tightly to his chest, the only source of comfort he had after being rejected by his own mother.Viewers across the world saw something deeply familiar in that image. A frightened infant, alone in a crowd, seeking reassurance in whatever he could hold on to. Punch’s story was not just about animal behaviour, it became a reflection of vulnerability, resilience and the universal need for attachment.Zookeepers had given Punch the toy after noticing he had nothing to cling to. For baby Japanese macaques, physical contact is essential. They instinctively hold on to their mothers for warmth, protection and emotional security. Without that bond, Punch turned to the toy as a substitute attachment figure, a lifeline in an unfamiliar social world.Over time, there have been hopeful signs. Visitors and zoo officials observed Punch slowly interacting with other monkeys. Some were seen grooming him, a crucial sign of acceptance in macaque society. He still carries his plush companion, but he has also begun exploring, playing and cautiously building social ties. The same troop that once intimidated him is now, gradually, becoming his community.Punch’s journey shows both the fragility and adaptability of infant primates. But it also raises a difficult question that has troubled many observers:While emotionally distressing, scientists say maternal abandonment in primates is a natural, though relatively uncommon, behaviour shaped by survival, biology and environmental pressures.Science behind maternal abandonment in primates.First-time mothers often lack the behavioural and hormonal readiness needed to care for an infant. In primates, maternal care is partly learned through social observation and experience. Without prior exposure, some mothers may fail to recognise infant cues or struggle to respond appropriately.According to a report by The Guardian, Punch’s mother was a first-time parent, and inexperience was considered one of the most likely reasons for the abandonment.Environmental stress plays a major role in maternal decision-making. Extreme heat, habitat disturbance, noise, overcrowding or resource scarcity can increase stress hormones like cortisol. Under such conditions, mothers may prioritise their own survival over caring for an infant whose chances of survival appear uncertain.Punch was born during a heatwave — a physically demanding and stressful period that may have influenced maternal behaviour.Caring for an infant requires enormous energy. Mothers in poor physical condition, suffering from illness, malnutrition or exhaustion, may lack the capacity to nurse and protect their young.From an evolutionary standpoint, conserving energy for future reproduction may increase long-term reproductive success.Some primate mothers instinctively assess the strength and viability of their infants. If an infant appears weak, unresponsive or unhealthy, the mother may reduce care or abandon it entirely. This behaviour, though harsh, is rooted in evolutionary survival strategies.It allows mothers to invest resources where survival chances are higher.Japanese macaques live in strict matrilineal societies, where rank determines access to resources and protection. Infants inherit their mother’s social rank. Without maternal protection, infants may face aggression from higher-ranking members.Maternal absence leaves infants socially vulnerable and slows their ability to learn submission and communication cues.Studies show that mothers who experienced neglect or trauma as infants themselves may be more likely to display poor maternal care later in life. Maternal behaviour is influenced by early developmental experiences, hormones and social learning.In primates, caregiving is both instinctive and shaped by environment.Punch’s attachment to his stuffed toy highlights a well-documented psychological phenomenon. Infant primates form deep bonds with attachment figures for emotional regulation and stress reduction. When the biological mother is absent, substitutes, including objects or caregivers, can provide partial emotional support.The toy helps Punch regulate fear, build confidence and navigate social interactions.Over time, as he forms bonds with other monkeys, his dependence on the toy may naturally decrease.Punch’s story began with rejection, but it is slowly becoming one of adaptation.His fragile grip on a plush toy symbolised isolation. Today, that same grip represents survival, a bridge between loneliness and belonging.His journey reminds us that maternal abandonment, while painful to witness, is not cruelty in the human sense. It is a complex biological response shaped by survival, stress and instinct.And sometimes, with care, patience and a little help, even the smallest and most vulnerable can find their way back into the social world they were meant to be part of.