Everyone’s favorite baby monkey, Punch, the Japanese Macaque, may have just found love!
In a recent TikTok update shared by Overtime, new footage showed Punch the monkey getting cozy with a female Macaque monkey and spending quality time with her. In the video clips, Punch and his new friend sat close together, played around, and even shared a few sneaky kisses in between.
The internet immediately fell in love with the adorable couple, with several users online congratulating Punch for his newfound love.
“I am so proud of baby Punch, he deserves a girlfriend 🥰🥰🥰,” one user wrote in the comments. Another user joked that Punch, “Found a girl and forgot the plushie 😂,” referencing the Orange monkey plush toy that he would carry when he first went viral online.
One user even pointed out that his new girl was a similar color to Punch’s plush toy and joked that “His stuffed animal came to life.”
“My boy growing up so fast 😂,” another user added, while others expressed how protective they felt over Punch and wrote, “She better not break his heart!”
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Punch, who currently resides at the Ichikawa Zoo in Japan, was abandoned by his mother and went viral online for his attachement with his emotional support plushie. In zoos and other rehabilitation centers, young animals may be provided with stuffed toys to serve as surrogate mothers, which can provide a sense of comfort and safety.
Since Punch went viral, people have watched him go through plenty of ups and downs at the Zoo. From getting bullied to finally making new friends with other monkeys, people online have rooted for Punch as he’s grown up.
All about the Japanese Macaque
The Japanese Macaque, also known as “snow monkeys,” has a short, stubby tail and thick fur, according to the Lincoln Park Zoo.
In the wild, they are social animals and typically live in troops of up to “161 individuals,” per the Zoo.
The mating season for the Japanese Macaque typically runs from March to September, with females selecting their preferred mate, which aligns with the timing when Punch found his new girlfriend.
Typically, mothers give birth to one offspring per season and stay with them until they’re 8 months old. Since Punch was abandoned, the zookeepers at Ichikawa Zoo raised him and made sure he got along with his troop.
This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Mar 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.