An endearing infant monkey has captured the hearts of animal enthusiasts worldwide by gaining online popularity due to his emotional support stuffed animal. Punch, a six-month-old macaque from Japan, was abandoned at birth by his mother, leading him to seek comfort in a teddy bear. The bond between Punch and his plushie companion, named Punch, has garnered attention since zookeepers at Ichikawa City Zoo highlighted their undeniable connection.
Since July 2025, Punch has been cared for by zookeepers, who have hand-fed and showered him with love, despite the challenges faced by macaques without their mothers in the early stages. To combat the loneliness following his abandonment, the zoo continuously provides items to keep Punch content.
Punch has now found a close friend in an orangutan, with the pair seen walking around their enclosure and sharing hugs on social media. Despite being slightly larger than Punch, the orangutan has become a source of comfort, a sleeping pillow, and a supportive companion as Punch tries to interact with other monkeys in the enclosure. The hashtag “#HangInTherePunch” has gained popularity in Japan, with locals rallying behind Punch in hopes of his successful journey to adulthood.
Kosuke Shikano, Punch’s keeper, noted that the stuffed animal has become a surrogate mother to him. While Punch is starting to bond with other monkeys in the zoo, he continues to be bottle-fed to aid his growth. The stuffed orangutan provides solace to Punch when he faces reprimand from other macaques, helping him quickly bounce back from such situations. Punch is not the first monkey to find solace in a plush toy, as seen with Little Mongkood, who found comfort in a teddy bear after a traumatic experience before sleeping with it for emotional support.
