A six-month-old macaque named Punch, abandoned by his mother at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan, has become an internet sensation after forming a strong attachment to a stuffed orangutan toy. The infant monkey was born in July 2025 but was rejected shortly after birth, prompting zookeepers to hand-raise him.
Because infant monkeys instinctively cling to their mothers, staff provided Punch with blankets and soft toys to ease his anxiety. He quickly chose the plush orangutan and has barely let go since, carrying it everywhere as a substitute parent.
Video clips shared widely on social media show Punch hugging the toy while sleeping, wrapping his arms around it and burying his face into the fabric. In other footage, he clutches it protectively while cautiously approaching other young macaques. One social media account claimed he even uses the toy as a shield when other monkeys 'scold' him during play.
In mid-January, zookeepers carefully introduced Punch to a small group of macaques. While he has started interacting with them, he continues to keep his stuffed companion close as he adjusts to life in the troop. One user commented, 'It's as if he's found the safest, warmest place in the world.'
