Is Punch the Monkey dead? Fact-checking viral claims as zoo viewing area closes temporarily
Claims that viral Japanese macaque Punch the Monkey has died are circulating on social media again, but there is no evidence that the animal has died.Claims that viral Japanese macaque Punch the Monkey has died are circulating on social media. (REUTERS)The latest confusion appears to have coincided with the temporary closure of the monkey mountain viewing area at the zoo. Ichikawa City officially announced that the area would be closed to visitors from September 1 to September 18, as scheduled construction work is carried out.The closure does not mean the zoo itself has shut down, and there is no indication in the official notice that Punch is ill or has died.Why is Punch not being seen at the zoo?According to Ichikawa City’s official notice, the monkey mountain area is being closed while improvement work is carried out. The project includes the installation of sunshades and other work aimed at improving conditions for the Japanese macaques.The city said the viewing restriction is scheduled to run from September 1 through September 18, although the period could change depending on the progress of the work.Also read: Trump’s birthright citizenship crackdown: US may demand parents’ immigration proof for children’s passportsThe work follows efforts Ichikawa City to improve the environment for the monkeys, including Punch, who became an international sensation after videos showed him carrying a stuffed orangutan toy.Is Punch the Monkey dead?No. There is no credible evidence that Punch has died. The latest material linked to the zoo shows Punch alive and continuing to live at Ichikawa City Zoo. The zoo has also been carrying out work at the monkey enclosure, with viewing temporarily restricted in September while new sunshades and other improvements are installed.The work is intended to improve the enclosure while taking the welfare of the macaques into account.What is the latest update on Punch’s health?There is no current report from Ichikawa City Zoo indicating that Punch is seriously ill or has died.The latest publicly available updates instead show Punch continuing to live with the troop. A video recorded showed him active inside the enclosure, including playing in water and moving around normally.Also read:
