"An adult macaque has become young Punch's new 'bodyguard' in the latest chapter of the tale that captured hearts around the world in Ichikawa City Zoo. Footage released by the zoo on Sunday shows the adult monkey helping Punch climb rocks and wrapping him in a protective hug. Zoo officials said the young macaque is gradually being accepted by the troop, with two monkeys also seen carefully grooming him as part of the bonding process. Punch’s story first captured global attention after he was abandoned by his mother, a rare occurrence among macaques. Zoo staff introduced an orangutan plush toy to support his emotional well-being, and the tiny monkey was often seen cuddling and dragging the toy, dubbed 'Oran-mama' by supporters, wherever he went. Initially, Punch was rejected by other monkeys too, before gradually gaining some of their trust. Infant abandonment in monkeys is relatively uncommon, estimated to occur in around one to three percent of cases. Zoo officials believe Punch’s biological mother may have struggled to cope with her first litter. Typically, infant macaques depend heavily on maternal care for an extended period, nursing for at least a year while learning essential social behaviours from their mothers and the wider group."