Punch’s Viral Journey From Abandonment To Belonging At Ichikawa City Zoo
Punch, a young Japanese macaque, became the focus of overwhelming online affection after videos showing him clutching a small orangutan plushie at the Ichikawa City Zoo spread rapidly across social media.
Punch, the baby macaque. @ichikawa_zoo via X
Born in July 2025, the Japanese macaque “was rescued from abandonment and raised through hand-rearing,” according to a statement shared by the zoo on X and later translated into English.
Not long after, Punch’s attachment to his plush toy — which he carries around the zoo and curls up with while sleeping — turned him into an online favorite, with photos and videos of the pair drawing millions of views across platforms.
Despite his viral fame, Punch’s real-life social experiences appeared far more difficult. Clips shared online showed other monkeys pushing him away, leaving the young macaque clinging to his plushie for comfort.
On X, fans in Japan began rallying behind Punch using the hashtag がんばれパンチ, loosely translated as “HangInTherePunch,” to show their support for the young monkey.
“we, as a society, should create a panchi-kun protection squad” wrote one X user.
“stop showing me that little monkey being bullied by other monkeys i know he finally got a hug from one but i am not in a mental place to see it i will fly to japan and beat up the mean monkeys,” another wrote.
By Thursday, a new video surfaced that seemed to show Punch being attacked by an older monkey within his troop, sparking renewed outrage online and prompting the zoo to respond publicly on X.
“The adult monkey that dragged Punch is probably the mother of the monkey with whom Punch tried to communicate,” the zookeepers explained in their statement. “She probably felt that her baby was annoyed by Punch and got upset, expressing ‘don’t be mean.’”
The zoo has previously shared that members of the troop have gradually begun warming up to Punch.
“Punch is gradually deepening his interactions with the troop of monkeys!” the zoo wrote in a Feb. 6 post on X. “He’s getting groomed, playfully poking at others, getting scolded, and having all sorts of experiences every day, steadily learning how to live as a monkey within the troop!”
Further updates from the zoo pointed to continued improvement, noting that “as the days go by, the number of individuals Punch interacts with has been increasing.”
By Sunday, concern for Punch had grown so widespread that many of his supporters visited in person. The zoo shared its “heartfelt gratitude” for the “unprecedented and unexpected crowds” who came hoping to see him.
Even major brands have joined in cheering Punch on.
Ichikawa City Mayor Ko Tanaka announced on X that Petra Fare, president and chief sustainability officer of IKEA Japan, would be donating several replacement versions of the $20 “DJUNGELSKOGSoft” orangutan plush, along with additional toys for Punch.
A representative for Ichikawa City Zoo did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment.
In a statement released Friday, the zookeepers emphasized that “no single monkey has shown serious aggression toward” Punch and encouraged the public to “support Punch’s effort rather than feel sorry for him.”
“While Punch is scolded, he shows resilience and mental strength,” the statement added.
Whether Punch will continue relying on plush companions as his social world expands remains uncertain. But as one X user put it, the baby macaque stands as “proof that even in the toughest starts, love (and a good cuddle buddy) wins.”
