Punch, the seven-month-old orphaned monkey who stole the internet’s heart with the beloved animal stuff, finally seems to be making more friends of its own kind. Recently, new videos have surfaced which show Punch The Monkey enjoying hugs and even hitching a ride on the back of one of his cohabitants. The baby orphan macaque is slowly growing out of the orangutan plush toy that once comforted him after he was rejected by his mother and other monkeys. Punch was seen climbing onto the back of another monkey, sitting among adult macaques and occasionally being groomed or hugged.
Punch, a baby macaque in Japan's Ichikawa City Zoo, was abandoned by his mother at birth. Lacking maternal guidance, Punch had trouble fitting in — as highlighted by a particularly heartbreaking video emerging last month, where he was beaten and dragged by the older monkeys. The plush toy has helped him turn a corner.
Earlier, heartwarming images of the tiny macaque dragging the toy—larger than his own body—around the enclosure had captured the attention of zoo visitors and animal lovers online. Whenever other monkeys pushed him away, Punch would return to the stuffed orangutan and cling to it for comfort.
“Helping Punch learn the rules of monkey society and being accepted as a member is our most important task,” said Kosuke Kano, a 24-year-old zookeeper.
Video captured by a visitor on February 26 shows Punch wrapped in the arms of another macaque, squeezing his new friend in a tight hug, reports USA Today. After some cuddles, Punch jumps on the back of the other monkey, who seems content to let him cling on.
ALSO READ: Punch The Monkey update: IKEA’s $20 orangutan toy sells out at all US, Japan stores after heartbreaking viral moment, now selling at 10x original cost
Punch was so popular after images of him and his toy showed up online last month, the zoo had to set rules to make visitors be quiet and to limit viewing to 10 minutes to reduce stress for the more than 50 other monkeys.
Concern for Punch intensified after a video posted on February 19 showed a larger macaque behaving roughly with the baby. The footage sparked a wave of emotional reactions on social media, with many viewers expressing heartbreak over the orphaned monkey’s situation. Some devoted followers even joked that they would travel to the zoo to “rescue” him.
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The zoo reassured fans in a February 20 statement, saying the interaction was typical correction behavior. "While Punch is scolded, he shows resilience and mental strength," the zoo said. "When you observe these disciplinary behaviors from other troop members toward Punch, when he tries to communicate with them, we would like you to support Punch's efforts, rather than feel sorry for him."
“When he grows out of the plush toy that encourages his independence, and that’s what we are hoping for,” zoo director Shigekazu Mizushina said.
Punch still sleeps with his toy every night, but Mizushina said the next thing keepers want to see is Punch bunched up with other monkeys to sleep.
Meanwhile, the stuffed orangutan toy—believed to be the same model carried by Punch—has also gained unexpected popularity. The plush toy has reportedly sold out online at IKEA following the viral videos of the young monkey.
(With AP inputs)
Punch, a baby macaque in Japan's Ichikawa City Zoo, was abandoned by his mother at birth. Lacking maternal guidance, Punch had trouble fitting in — as highlighted by a particularly heartbreaking video emerging last month, where he was beaten and dragged by the older monkeys. The plush toy has helped him turn a corner.
Earlier, heartwarming images of the tiny macaque dragging the toy—larger than his own body—around the enclosure had captured the attention of zoo visitors and animal lovers online. Whenever other monkeys pushed him away, Punch would return to the stuffed orangutan and cling to it for comfort.
Punch The Monkey making friends
Now, Punch has made friends at the zoo. “It was good to see him grow, and I’m reassured,” Sanae Izumi, a 61-year-old Punch fan from Osaka who came to the zoo because she was worried about the baby monkey, told AP. “He is adorable!”“Helping Punch learn the rules of monkey society and being accepted as a member is our most important task,” said Kosuke Kano, a 24-year-old zookeeper.
Video captured by a visitor on February 26 shows Punch wrapped in the arms of another macaque, squeezing his new friend in a tight hug, reports USA Today. After some cuddles, Punch jumps on the back of the other monkey, who seems content to let him cling on.
ALSO READ: Punch The Monkey update: IKEA’s $20 orangutan toy sells out at all US, Japan stores after heartbreaking viral moment, now selling at 10x original cost
Who is Punch The baby monkey?
Punch was abandoned by his mother after his birth, presumably because of exhaustion. Zookeepers nursed him and gave him the toy to train him to cling, an ability newborn macaques need to survive. Videos of Punch dragging his stuffed orangutan toy behind him went viral this month, drawing sympathy and affection from millions of viewers online. The clips showed the tiny macaque clutching the plush toy for comfort, leaving many people touched by the young monkey’s apparent loneliness.Punch was so popular after images of him and his toy showed up online last month, the zoo had to set rules to make visitors be quiet and to limit viewing to 10 minutes to reduce stress for the more than 50 other monkeys.
Concern for Punch intensified after a video posted on February 19 showed a larger macaque behaving roughly with the baby. The footage sparked a wave of emotional reactions on social media, with many viewers expressing heartbreak over the orphaned monkey’s situation. Some devoted followers even joked that they would travel to the zoo to “rescue” him.
ALSO READ: Flights Cancelled today (March 5, 2026): IndiGo starts limited flights as Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways remain suspended. Check full list
The zoo reassured fans in a February 20 statement, saying the interaction was typical correction behavior. "While Punch is scolded, he shows resilience and mental strength," the zoo said. "When you observe these disciplinary behaviors from other troop members toward Punch, when he tries to communicate with them, we would like you to support Punch's efforts, rather than feel sorry for him."
“When he grows out of the plush toy that encourages his independence, and that’s what we are hoping for,” zoo director Shigekazu Mizushina said.
Punch still sleeps with his toy every night, but Mizushina said the next thing keepers want to see is Punch bunched up with other monkeys to sleep.
Meanwhile, the stuffed orangutan toy—believed to be the same model carried by Punch—has also gained unexpected popularity. The plush toy has reportedly sold out online at IKEA following the viral videos of the young monkey.
(With AP inputs)
