Punch the Monkey Is Making Friends — Latest Update From Ichikawa Zoo
The world's most beloved baby monkey just got even better news. Punch the monkey, the viral Japanese macaque who captured global hearts by clinging to an IKEA stuffed orangutan, is now thriving with real companions at the Ichikawa City Zoo in Chiba Prefecture, Japan.
Punch the Monkey Has Made Real Friends — February 25 Update
Punch the monkey, who won hearts online after turning to a plush orangutan toy for company, is now getting on well with his real-life zoo companions. In an update on X, Ichikawa Zoo clarified that Punch was not being "scolded" by others and was playing with baby monkeys. "He continues to do well," the zoo confirmed.
New footage shows Punch staying close to a larger monkey and following it around the enclosure. The zoo stated: "This big monkey has accepted Punch, and Punch has completely grown attached." The update brings enormous relief to millions of fans worldwide who had been following the baby monkey's journey closely since his story first went viral.
Who Is Punch the Baby Monkey?
Punch-kun (パンチくん), born July 26, 2025, is a baby Japanese macaque at the Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan. He was named after Monkey Punch, the mangaka who authored Lupin the Third. He was abandoned by his mother shortly after birth, and the day after, keepers began hand-raising him with bottle feedings.
Punch was integrated with other macaques at the zoo's Monkey Mountain — home to around 60 monkeys — on January 19, 2026. Due to the lack of a maternal figure, Punch initially struggled with socializing, showing signs of anxiety and isolation. However, one keeper stated that despite occasional ostracizing by other macaques, Punch was "mentally strong."
The IKEA Stuffed Orangutan That Started It All
The story of Punch the monkey and his beloved stuffed companion became one of the most heartwarming viral moments of 2026, captivating audiences from Japan to every corner of the internet.
Keepers experimented with substitutes including rolled-up towels and other stuffed animals before settling on the orange, bug-eyed orangutan sold by Swedish furniture brand IKEA. Japanese baby macaques typically cling to their mothers to build muscle strength and for a sense of security, making the intervention critical to Punch's survival and development.
The stuffed toy, known by fans online as "Oran-Mama" or "Oran-Mother," became part of the story. On February 5, 2026, the zoo posted about Punch's backstory online, which became an overnight sensation, and the hashtag #がんばれパンチ — or #HangInTherePunch — began circulating worldwide.
Ichikawa Zoo Overwhelmed by Punch the Monkey Fans
The viral fame of Punch the monkey has had a dramatic real-world impact on the small zoo in Chiba Prefecture, turning it into one of the most talked-about destinations in Japan almost overnight.
Punch's internet popularity led to a surge in visitors starting in February 2026, with "huge lines" forming outside Ichikawa City Zoo that officials described as unprecedented, prompting the zoo to apologize for delays in entry.
On the most recent Sunday, a huge crowd of people waited in line for their chance to see Punch the monkey in person. The zoo has become a phenomenon, with fans traveling from across Japan and beyond simply for the chance to spot the baby monkey and his stuffed orangutan companion.
What's Next for Punch the Monkey
With Punch now playing alongside other baby monkeys and bonding with a larger companion who has taken him under its wing, the trajectory looks genuinely positive. The zoo continues to post regular updates on social media to keep the global fanbase informed.
Ichikawa City Zoo's head Takashi Yasunaga has described Punch-kun as very outgoing — a resilient spirit that clearly resonated with audiences around the world rooting for the little baby monkey to find his place among the troop.
