A six-month-old macaque has become an internet sensation after various people shared videos and photos of him clinging to a stuffed orangutan plushie for comfort following his mother’s rejection. The adorable baby monkey, Punch, was abandoned shortly after his birth in July 2025. Since then, staff at Ichikawa City Zoo in Chiba Prefecture have devoted themselves to his care, feeding him around the clock, while also providing blankets and soft toys to ease his anxiety. Included among these goods was the stuffed orangutan that quickly became his constant companion, providing him with a sense of security.

Videos of Baby Monkey Punch Touch Hearts Online 

Footage shared on social media shows Punch hugging the toy tightly as he sleeps, wrapping his arms around it and dragging it across the enclosure he shares with a small group of other macaques. The images have captivated audiences online, with netizens touched by his vulnerability and the evident comfort he gains from the plushie. When he was introduced to the other macaques in mid-January, Punch was initially ostracized, but the zoo reports he has slowly begun integrating, forming tentative bonds, exploring his surroundings and interacting more with his peers each day.

Footage shows Punch is slowly befriending other macaques | Screengrab via Youtube @zoo-at-home

A video shared this week shows Punch briefly setting aside his soft companion to play with the other macaques — a sign that he is beginning to form real social connections. Yet the toy continues to capture hearts online. Fans quickly identified it as Ikea’s Djungelskog orangutan, which has seen a surge in demand since the videos went viral. The story also brings back memories of Mongkood, a northern pig-tailed macaque rescued in 2017, who similarly relied on a teddy bear for comfort and emotional support after being separated from his mother.

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Updated On February 19, 2026