Columnist gets down to monkey business and offers some life lessons from little rascal who had rough start
The world has gone bananas for Punch.
The viral story is what has kept me sane through the endless winter of 2025-26.
I really could use a 24/7 live stream of this sweet creature.
Punch is the little baby macaque (hereafter) referred to as a monkey who was abandoned by his mother. He is now being raised by zookeepers in Japan.
The little guy was having trouble making friends and he was lonely, so his caregivers gave him a stuffed orangutan. It became his emotional support plushie.
The videos of him dragging his pal around by the arm filled me with joy. Pulling him through mud, up on rocks, sleeping on top of him and giving him spontaneous kisses has filled my soul.
His affection for his doll has both broken our hearts and filled us with joy.
His Japanese caretakers explain the animals rely on their mothers to develop physical strength, social skills and emotional security. Just like we all do.
Dr. Emily Bethell, a primatologist, told The Daily Mail: “The toy provides a sense of security and helps reduce stress, but it cannot replace social learning from its troop.”
It struck me as funny that the stuffy came from Ikea.
What is it with Ikea and monkeys?
Remember Darwin, also a macaque, who went viral in 2012 after escaping a crate in North York and roaming around the parking lot wearing that shearling coat?
I was obsessed with that monkey business, too.
The update is that Darwin is now all grown up and reportedly doing well at Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary in Sunderland.
So, now with Punch, did any of us doubt merchandising would follow?
Seems the orange stuffed animal pal is sold out in stores at $14.99 and online — and globally. It is now showing up on eBay, where resellers have priced it at $100 and up.
I think there are some pretty important life lessons we can take from the story of Punch.
We all need to feel safe. Hopefully for a majority of us that security comes from family but, if not, take comfort in the love of friends even if they are orange and furry and a little bit raggedy.
Moms are so important. It seems in every species and no matter what age we benefit from a mother (or a mother figure) to give us a good start and a firm foundation.
Stay strong. On the bad days and the sad days, just hold on.
Good friends take time to cultivate. The other monkeys didn’t take to “the new kid” immediately and seemed to be pushing him away and bullying. But, in recent days, he’s been seen sitting close to others, eating with the troop and there’s been grooming going on.
You are never really alone. It may seem like it, but in every storm of life there is going to be someone who will help you and, if not, then you just be your own best friend and help yourself.
Personally, I learned I should have been a primatologist. As a kid, I chose a stuffed monkey with a banana in his mouth over a teddy bear. I think that was a sign.
When the news of the day gets too heavy, I go check out how Punch is doing. His adventures make me feel lighter. His antics make me laugh. And his struggle gives me hope.
Punch is a survivor. Strong, courageous, resilient, sweet and determined.
I want to be just like him.