Baby snow monkey Punch and his stuffed orangutan have gained global attention, inspiring memes and even attracting interest from the White House.
In the wild, however, many fellow Japanese macaque are viewed quite differently. Farmers in Japan often see them as crop-raiding pests that must be driven away or removed to prevent financial losses. The agriculture ministry estimated that monkeys caused about ¥770 million ($4.86 million) in agricultural damage in 2024, leading authorities to permit the capture and killing of thousands of the animals each year. The policy has sparked debate between farmers facing losses and advocates calling for more humane solutions.
Takayo Soma, a primatologist at Kyoto University, said that while steps are necessary to reduce crop damage, culling monkeys without clear scientific justification is not an effective approach.
Similarly, Shigeyuki Izumiyama of Shinshu University noted that eliminating one troop often results in another taking its place, making the practice both ineffective and continuous. Some experts instead support non-lethal measures such as electric fencing or “monkey dogs,” trained pets that can chase the animals away from farmland.
Apple farmer Takumi Matsuda, who photographs the primates in the mountains of Nagano Prefecture, said humans must also recognise their role in the problem by encroaching on the animals’ natural habitat. Through his widely followed Instagram posts, he hopes to encourage people to appreciate the monkeys in their natural environment while acknowledging farmers’ concerns.
“It’s not that farmers hate the monkeys,” he said. “They are worried about the impact on their livelihood.” Matsuda added that he hopes Punch’s popularity will encourage more people to observe Japanese macaques living in the wild.
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