Punch, the baby macaque who is currently the Internet’s biggest star, might be universally loved, but People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) isn’t loving the primate’s current living conditions.
The monkey who rose to fame when he was bullied by other monkeys and sought comfort in a stuffed orangutan is currently a resident of the Ichikawa City Zoo outside Tokyo. And that’s where PETA’s problems begin.
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“Zoos are not sanctuaries — they are places where animals are confined, deprived of autonomy, and denied the complex environments and social lives they would have in the wild,” the organization said. “What some are calling ‘cute’ is actually a glimpse into the trauma of a young, highly social primate coping with isolation and loss.”
While PETA is not happy with the situation, the mood is much different at the headquarters of Ikea. The stuffed animal that Punch is devoted to is the company’s product. And, as so often happens when things go viral online, there has been a massive rush by consumers to buy one of their own.
The product is out of stock at most U.S. stores — though, as of Thursday morning, it was listed as available at the College Park, Md., Pittsburgh, Las Vegas, and Elizabeth, NJ locations. Delivery, for the most part, is not available.
Born in July, Punch was rejected by his mother. He was raised in an isolated environment, and given the stuffed animal for comfort. He began rejoining his troop last month. It didn’t go well at first, but he has been integrated in the days since.
Visitors have lined up for hours to catch a glimpse of the online star. More than 5,000 people came on Monday, which has resulted in the zoo setting up a “restricted zone” around part of the monkey enclosure to lower stress for the animals.
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PETA is upset about viral internet star Punch the monkey. Ikea is thrilled.
Punch, the baby macaque who is currently the Internet’s biggest star, might be universally loved, but People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) isn’t loving the primate’s current living conditions.
The monkey who rose to fame when he was bullied by other monkeys and sought comfort in a stuffed orangutan is currently a resident of the Ichikawa City Zoo outside Tokyo. And that’s where PETA’s problems begin.
Related Content
Anthropic’s AI standoff with the Pentagon is nearing a critical deadline
American expats hit an all-time high
“Zoos are not sanctuaries — they are places where animals are confined, deprived of autonomy, and denied the complex environments and social lives they would have in the wild,” the organization said. “What some are calling ‘cute’ is actually a glimpse into the trauma of a young, highly social primate coping with isolation and loss.”
While PETA is not happy with the situation, the mood is much different at the headquarters of Ikea. The stuffed animal that Punch is devoted to is the company’s product. And, as so often happens when things go viral online, there has been a massive rush by consumers to buy one of their own.
The product is out of stock at most U.S. stores — though, as of Thursday morning, it was listed as available at the College Park, Md., Pittsburgh, Las Vegas, and Elizabeth, NJ locations. Delivery, for the most part, is not available.
Born in July, Punch was rejected by his mother. He was raised in an isolated environment, and given the stuffed animal for comfort. He began rejoining his troop last month. It didn’t go well at first, but he has been integrated in the days since.
Visitors have lined up for hours to catch a glimpse of the online star. More than 5,000 people came on Monday, which has resulted in the zoo setting up a “restricted zone” around part of the monkey enclosure to lower stress for the animals.
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