Animal expert explains if Punch the monkey actually feels sad at being abandoned

One look at a picture of Punch the monkey curled up next to his plushie orangutan is enough to break anyone's heart, but does Punch himself actually feel sad at being abandoned?

The attention around the little macaque began after he was abandoned by his mother and struggled to bond with other monkeys in his enclosure at the Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan.

With no one else to play with, zookeepers gave him a soft toy which he has since been seen dragging around, consequently leaving people across the globe devastated by his situation.

If Punch were a human there's no doubt he'd be feeling pretty sorry for himself, but now Dr Emily Bethell, an Associate Professor in Primate Cognition and Welfare at Liverpool John Moores University in the UK, has explained whether the monkey might be a little bit heartbroken, too.

Speaking to UNILAD, Dr. Bethell confirmed that all animals have emotions 'to some extent', noting: "Emotions are survival mechanisms – they are the body’s way of surviving by seeking out things associated with positive emotions and avoiding things that are associated with negative emotions."

It's impossible not to feel sad for Punch (David Mareuil/Anadolu via Getty Images)

An infant monkey might seek comfort from a mother because it feels positive - therefore, being abandoned is likely going to have the opposite effect.

"Abandonment will, at some level, feel negative," Dr. Bethell said.

Cue even more heartbreak for Punch.

The expert noted that while Punch is likely to be experiencing some level of negative feelings, 'we cannot say to what extent Punch understands this'.

As for why Punch might have been abandoned in the first place, Dr. Bethell said: "Abandonment is not common in macaques but it does happen."

According to the expert, a first-time mother is more likely to abandon her first offspring than a more experienced mother, and some macaques show more protective maternal behaviors than others as well.

It's likely Punch does feel negative feelings (David Mareuil/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Dr. Bethell added: "Abandonment is more likely to happen if the mother herself had abnormal rearing (for example if she was separated from her own mother too young, or experience other forms of early life stress, possibly associated with captivity)."

As for Punch's future, Dr. Bethell expressed hope that the little macaque may get some more chances to socialize as he grows up.

She said: "I understand the zoo has provided areas for Punch to escape to, to avoid harassment by the other monkeys. By 6 months old macaques will be spending more time away from the mother and playing with other youngsters. It is also common for youngsters to be handled by unrelated adults, including males. Hopefully as Punch gets older he will have more opportunities for positive social interactions with his group mates."

We're keeping everything crossed for you, Punch!