Published: February 23, 2026, 10:41 AM ET
Punch, a young macaque at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan, was deserted by his mother and hand-reared by the zoo’s team, who provided him with a stuffed orangutan for comfort.
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In Japan’s Ichikawa City Zoo, Punch can be seen resting alongside a stuffed orangutan.
Kim Kyung-Hoon, REUTERS
As per the zoo’s translated website, Punch, a young macaque at Japan’s Ichikawa City Zoo, was forsaken by his mother “right after birth” on July 26, 2025. Zoo keepers nurtured him in place of his mother, providing a stuffed orangutan that Punch now constantly carries.
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The celebrated young Japanese macaque, Punch, is observed pulling a stuffed orangutan toy at Ichikawa City Zoo, Japan.
Kim Kyung-Hoon, REUTERS
An image from February 19, 2026, displays Punch, a male macaque aged seven months, who was left by his mother soon after birth, resting with his stuffed orangutan toy at the Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Chiba Prefecture.
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Within his enclosure at Ichikawa City Zoo, Japan, the delightful Punch interacts with a plush orangutan.
Kim Kyung-Hoon, REUTERS
In the Ichikawa City Zoo, Japan, Punch can be seen steadfastly carrying his stuffed companion.
Kim Kyung-Hoon, REUTERS
At Ichikawa City Zoo, Japan, the baby Japanese macaque, Punch, faithfully pulls a stuffed orangutan, which acts as a surrogate mother.
Kim Kyung-Hoon, REUTERS
In Ichikawa City Zoo, Japan, Zookeeper Kosuke Shikano positions a stuffed orangutan on the ground while baby Japanese macaque Punch holds onto his leg.
Kim Kyung-Hoon, REUTERS
At Ichikawa City Zoo, Japan, baby Punch holds tightly to zookeeper Kosuke Shikano.
Kim Kyung-Hoon, REUTERS
At Ichikawa City Zoo, Japan, the abandoned monkey, Punch, is shown holding a branch while next to a stuffed orangutan.
Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters
Punch, a baby monkey, became a viral sensation for continuously pulling and seeking solace from a stuffed orangutan toy at Ichikawa City Zoo, Japan.
Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters
After being moved around his enclosure by another adult monkey in February 2026, Punch, a young monkey at Japan’s Ichikawa City Zoo, firmly holds onto a stuffed orangutan.
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The zoo reported that Punch, the monkey who became famous for his comforting plush toy, was observed being “chided” by an elder monkey.
@tate_punch Via Storyful
A photograph from February 19, 2026, displays Punch, a baby macaque, carrying his stuffed companion.
STR, JIJI PRESS/AFP Via Getty Images