Baby Monkey Punch Goes Viral Hugging Orangutan Plush at Tokyo Zoo

A seven-month-old Japanese macaque named Punch has become a social media sensation at Ichikawa Zoo on the outskirts of Tokyo, captivating thousands in Japan and online with his attachment to a stuffed toy.

Born in July last year, Punch was rejected by his mother shortly after birth. Zoo spokesperson Takashi Yasunaga said such maternal rejection occasionally occurs in the species, possibly linked to the mother's inexperience and high temperatures at the time. Staff hand-reared the infant and provided an orange orangutan plush toy for emotional comfort, to which he quickly bonded. The young macaque now sleeps clutching the toy and carries it during overwhelming moments, even as he lives among a group of 56 others.

Videos shared on social media document Punch's integration, particularly after his reintroduction to the troop in January. The zoo officially introduced him on its X account on 5 February, with a post on his progress garnering millions of views. Hashtags like #AnimoPunch track his journey toward independence.

The story has boosted attendance: last weekend, 8,000 visitors passed through—double the usual for this time of year. Weighing nearly two kilograms, Punch still receives supplemental feeding from keepers while strengthening bonds with the group. His inseparable plush companion remains a constant source of solace.