Baby animals should not be used as marketing tools.

Right now, a six-month-old macaque named Punch at Ichikawa City Zoo is drawing massive crowds after going viral online. Visitors are lining up for a glimpse of him, sharing videos, and fueling a wave of internet attention. But what many people see as “cute” content often masks a more troubling reality: infant animals in captivity are being turned into attractions to boost ticket sales.

We’ve seen this before. When Moo Deng, a baby pygmy hippo, became a global sensation, crowds surged. The attention brought noise, stress, and relentless public exposure. When the hype faded, the animal remained confined — but the emotional toll lingered.

Infant primates like Punch are highly social, intelligent beings. In the wild, baby macaques spend their first year learning from their mothers and bonding within complex social groups. Their early development depends on stability, safety, and healthy social integration — not flashing cameras and packed enclosures.

Zoos and wildlife facilities must not exploit baby animals for viral marketing campaigns. The short-term spike in ticket revenue does not justify long-term psychological stress or disrupted development.

We are calling on the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), national zoo accrediting bodies, and zoo administrators worldwide to establish clear policies prohibiting the promotional use of infant animals in viral marketing campaigns. Facilities should implement visitor limits, quiet zones, and strict welfare-first standards whenever young animals are on display.

Animals are not content. They are not influencers. They are not props.

If institutions truly care about conservation and animal welfare, they must prioritize well-being over publicity.

Sign this petition to demand an end to the exploitation of baby animals for internet fame and profit.