Punch The Monkey: Abandoned Baby Macaque Clings to Stuffed Orangutan and Draws Crowds
A baby macaque known as Punch-kun has become an unlikely symbol of comfort and curiosity after staff at a small Japanese zoo stepped in when he was abandoned at birth. The image of Punch clutching an oversized stuffed orangutan — a scene that visitors now flock to see — has resonated widely and created practical strains for zoo operations.
Punch The Monkey and the stuffed companion
Born in July and abandoned soon afterward, Punch-kun was hand-raised by zoo caretakers who carefully monitored his development and gradually introduced him to other macaques. Caretakers gave him an oversized stuffed orangutan to comfort him; he has carried it everywhere, dragging it across his enclosure, eating beside it and curling around it to sleep.
The photos and videos of the baby monkey with his plush companion spread across social media, and images shared by the zoo quickly went viral. Visitors have been crowding Ichikawa City Zoo, and long lines formed as people hoped to see Punch in person.
How caretakers stepped in and the integration process
When the mother rejected the newborn, zoo staff took responsibility for raising him. They hand-raised Punch-kun, monitored his physical and social development and introduced him gradually to the group of macaques. That staged approach is intended to help a hand-raised infant learn social behaviors and find a place among peers while minimizing stress.
Even after the staged introductions, staff noticed he was struggling to integrate. Without the maternal bond from birth, Punch showed signs of anxiety and isolation, which prompted the caretakers to provide the stuffed orangutan as a surrogate object of comfort.
Crowds, caretakers and the macaque troop feel the effects
The viral attention has produced tangible effects for multiple groups. Visitors have formed huge lines outside the zoo to see the tiny animal, creating entrance delays that zoo staff apologized for in a Feb. 15 statement posted on X. Zoo caretakers found themselves juggling animal care with crowd management, and the macaque troop has had to accommodate a hand-raised newcomer who treats a plush toy like an adopted mother.
Staff said they were stunned by the unexpected turnout and apologized for the slow entry process as crowds grew far beyond normal levels. Further details were not immediately available.
Punch the monkey remains at the center of attention inside his enclosure, clinging to the stuffed orangutan as he navigates life among other macaques. The zoo’s Feb. 15 statement on X outlined the surge in visitors and the staff response; officials acknowledged the strain on operations and the need to manage access for those hoping to see him in person.
Zoo officials continue to monitor Punch-kun’s development and the situation at the zoo as visitors keep arriving for a glimpse of the infant with his beloved plush companion.
