Abandoned by mother, 6-month old macaque finds comfort in plush toy. All about Punch, the viral monkey

Recognising that the newborn was physically healthy but vulnerable, zookeepers Kosuke Shikano and Shumpei Miyakoshi began hand-rearing him.

A six-month-old Japanese macaque at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan has become the subject of widespread online attention after visitors shared images of him carrying a small orangutan plush toy for comfort.

The infant monkey, known as Punch (Panchi-kun in Japanese), was born in July 2025, weighing approximately 500 grams. According to reporting by Mainichi Shimbun, his mother — a first-time parent — did not care for him following birth. Zoo staff indicated that maternal rejection can occur in primates, particularly among inexperienced mothers who struggle to establish an immediate bond.

Recognising that the newborn was physically healthy but vulnerable, zookeepers Kosuke Shikano and Shumpei Miyakoshi began hand-rearing him. Rather than isolating him completely, they ensured he remained exposed to the sounds and scents of other macaques to support eventual integration into the troop. Their stated goal extended beyond keeping him alive; they aimed to prepare him for long-term social development within his species.

/a> #ニホンザル#パンチpic.twitter.com/jNpFSH0LOV — February 5, 2026

The role of the plush toy:

In natural conditions, infant macaquescling to their mothers for warmth, reassurance and physical development. Without that contact, young monkeys may experience stress and social difficulty.

To address this, staff trialled substitutes including rolled towels and soft toys. Punch formed a clear attachment to an orangutan plush toy with textured fur that allowed him to grip it easily and whose primate form resembled a companion animal.

The story of Punch at Ichikawa City Zoo Abandoned by his mother, he was raised by humans. When he was introduced to the zoo’s monkey troop, he couldn’t fit in with the monkey society. He keeps hugging the doll given to him by the caretakers so sad, yet so cute pic.twitter.com/51A3GkBQQt — (@heavensbvnny) February 14, 2026

Zookeeper Shikano compared the object to a “surrogate mother”, explaining that it provides comfort during periods when staff are not present, particularly overnight. Images and videos of Punch sleeping while holding the toy, or carrying it during moments of uncertainty, were widely circulated online.

Social media response:

Visitors began posting photographs and short clips of Punch on social platforms. When Ichikawa City Zoo introduced him on its official X account in early February, posts were shared thousands of times. A hashtag translating to #HangInTherePunch gained momentum, accumulating tens of thousands of mentions within days.

The story of Punch-kun, known as Punch, the baby monkey, who was rejected by his mother. Punch, is a seven-month-old baby macaque monkey who inhabits the Ichikawa Zoo in Japan. Born in July 2025, Punch had to swallow a harsh reality when his birth mother refused and abandoned… pic.twitter.com/DNS2LV5B7F — February 19, 2026

Users described emotional reactions to footage showing the young macaque navigating his enclosure while holding the plush companion. Clips from the X account Volcaholic further increased visibility, highlighting that Punch was rarely seen without the toy — whether sleeping, interacting cautiously with other monkeys or seeking reassurance during anxious moments.

The way every single one of us would cuddle Punch the monkey if we were in that enclosure with him. That’s OUR baby! pic.twitter.com/J6PVHgYIph — Mara Webster 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@Mara_Webster) February 19, 2026

Reintroduction to the troop:

In mid-January 2026, staff reintroduced Punch to the monkey mountain enclosure, home to dozens of macaques. The adjustment period proved challenging. At first, other monkeys appeared wary and occasionally intimidated the young animal.

By February, Punch’s weight had increased to approximately two kilograms. He continued to receive supplemental feeding while gradually increasing social interaction with other macaques. Observations shared with Mainichi Shimbun noted that although older monkeys sometimes scolded him, he recovered quickly and resumed engagement.

Visitors have been seen gathering at the enclosure, watching as Punch alternates between exploring his surroundings and returning to the plush toy for reassurance. The zoo has reported increased footfall since his story gained traction online.

In February, the zoo stated on X that Punch had begun forming connections within the troop. A later update on 12 February noted that he was interacting with more macaques but that “there are still times when he gets scolded, but while learning the rules of the group,” according to translated posts.

Celebrity and corporate attention:

The story has extended beyond Japan. Television host Stephen Colbert referenced Punch during his programme, recounting the macaque’s early rejection and attachment to the toy. He announced that he had purchased a similar plush orangutan, describing it as a modest but symbolic gesture of solidarity.

The toy itself has also drawn corporate acknowledgement. IKEA shared an image of an orangutan plush described as “Punch’s comfort orangutan”, accompanied by the caption: “We’re ALL Punch’s family now,” followed by monkey and crying face emojis. The image included the phrase, “Sometimes, family is who we find along the way.” IKEA accounts in countries including Chile and Japan shared similar posts.