ICHIKAWA, Japan — A heart-warming story from the Ichikawa City Zoo near Tokyo has captured global attention after an abandoned baby Japanese macaque, named Punch-kun (Punch), formed an emotional attachment to a stuffed orangutan toy, becoming a beloved attraction for visitors.
Punch was born in July 2025 but was rejected by his mother shortly after birth, prompting zookeepers to intervene and hand-rear the vulnerable infant. To provide the comfort and physical reassurance typical of maternal contact, caretakers experimented with various items before settling on an orangutan plush toy — chosen for its primate-like looks and long, easy-to-grip fur. Punch has rarely been seen without his new “companion,” often clutching it closely as he moves around his enclosure.
Videos of the tiny macaque dragging the large plush toy have gone viral across social media platforms, drawing sympathy and delight from animal lovers worldwide under hashtags like #HangInTherePunch. The unexpected popularity has translated into increased visitor numbers at the zoo, with many guests eager to see the unlikely duo in person.
Zoo staff say that while Punch still carries his plush friend, he is gradually learning to interact more with other macaques, a hopeful sign of social integration. News as reported
