Punch The Monkey: Abandoned baby macaque charms visitors with plush orangutan

The story of punch the monkey, an abandoned six-month-old Japanese macaque at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan, has made the internet emotional after the infant began carrying and cuddling a small orangutan plush toy for comfort. Born July 2025 and known locally as Panchi-kun (Punch in English), the baby macaque was left by his mother and has been under zookeepers' care while staff help him acclimate to his new home and the other macaques.

Punch The Monkey’s viral comfort toy

What captured attention worldwide is Punch’s attachment to a small stuffed orangutan that he carries and cuddles. Social media users shared videos showing the young macaque with the plush toy as caretakers worked to help him adjust. The toy has been described as an emotional support object for the infant, and images of Punch holding it have circulated alongside posts tracking his progress in the troop.

Bullying and group integration

Initial clips showed Punch as an apparent outcast, and posts circulated of him being bullied and looking defeated with his plush toy nearby. Those moments drew further attention and sympathy, while later footage prompted celebration as Punch began to form connections. By Feb. 6, Punch had gradually made connections and interactions with the troop. A subsequent update on Feb. 12 noted that he had been interacting with more macaques, though "there are still times when he gets scolded, but while learning the rules of the group, " per a translated note from the zoo.

Visitor interest and retailer response

The young macaque’s story has coincided with a measurable rise in public interest at the zoo: a shared photo showing Punch with his stuffed toy was posted alongside an image of a long line at the zoo’s entrance, and staff have observed increased visitor numbers. Merchandise interest has also emerged; one retailer posted a photo of the orangutan plush toy identified as "Punch’s comfort orangutan, " noting that the item is available at its stores. The hashtag #HangInTherePunch has trended alongside the posts, and many viewers have expressed emotional reactions in comment threads.

• Abandoned at six months old; born July 2025 and named Panchi-kun (Punch in English).
• Uses a small orangutan plush toy for comfort and has drawn large online attention.
• By Feb. 6 and Feb. 12 updates, staff reported growing interactions with the troop despite occasional scoldings.

Analysis: observable indicators—the increase in visitor lines, repeated social posts, and retailer postings tied to the plush toy—show rising public engagement. If interest remains elevated, the zoo is likely to continue seeing increased visitation and attention around Punch and his comfort toy; any future updates from the zoo about Punch’s social integration will be a clear signal of how well he adapts to life with the troop.