Punch the Monkey: The Internet's Favorite Baby Macaque Is Finally Making Friends and Thriving
Punch the monkey has captured the hearts of tens of millions of people worldwide, and as of this week the story has a genuinely happy update. The tiny Japanese macaque who went viral for clinging to an IKEA stuffed orangutan after being abandoned by his mother is now hugging real monkeys, riding on new friends' backs, and slowly letting go of his beloved plushie.
Who Is Punch the Monkey
Punch-kun is a baby Japanese macaque, or snow monkey, born July 26, 2025, at the Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan. He was named after Monkey Punch, the mangaka who authored Lupin the Third. He was subsequently abandoned by his mother, and zookeepers have raised him by hand ever since.
Zookeepers gave him an orangutan plushie to cuddle with and function as a surrogate mother. When the zoo released videos in February of Punch snuggling with his well-worn orangutan and dragging it forlornly, they quickly went viral.
Why the Whole World Fell in Love With Punch
Watching Punch cling to a stuffed orangutan at a Japanese zoo as he struggled to make friends became a collective moment as people around the world grew invested in his emotional well-being.
IKEA's $20 Djungelskog plushie — the exact toy Punch carries — sold out in multiple countries and even prompted bidding wars on resale platforms. Punch was one of Google's top trending searches in February, and Google added a special Easter egg animation to queries about him, showering bright pink hearts from the top of the screen.
IKEA representatives visited the Ichikawa City Zoo on February 17 and donated 33 stuffed toys to Punch. In March, Blackpink member Lisa visited Punch herself and posted an Instagram story of her own orangutan plushie.
Bullying Fears — and the Zoo's Response
Heartbreaking videos of older macaques pushing Punch away or dragging him through the dirt sent the internet into full protective mode. After the zoo posted that Punch had been scolded many times by other monkeys, videos showing him being chased by members of the troop spread widely alongside claims he was being bullied. The zoo was forced to issue a statement denying he was being bullied, clarifying that being scolded by elder monkeys is a normal and necessary part of a young macaque learning social boundaries.
Punch Update: He Is Doing Much Better
The latest news from Ichikawa City Zoo is the best yet. Punch has finally made friends and is now seen giving and receiving affection from his peers. One video shows him getting embraced by an older monkey before hopping on his new friend's back for a playful ride around the enclosure.
Punch is making strides in his macaque society — he has been using his toy less, sitting with adults, getting groomed, and yes, getting hugged.
Despite forming real friendships, Punch still carries his stuffed orangutan around and sleeps with it every night. Zookeepers say the goal is for Punch to outgrow the need for it gradually as he continues to integrate back into the troop.
The zoo expects that as Punch grows up, he will one day say goodbye to his stuffy altogether — but for now, the whole world is happy to let him keep it a little longer.
