Abandoned baby monkey finds comfort in toy

A six-month-old macaque named Punch has become an internet star after videos showed him clinging to a stuffed orangutan for comfort at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan.

According to Heraldo USA, Punch was born in July 2025 but was abandoned by his mother shortly after birth. Zookeepers stepped in to hand-raise him and have since been closely monitoring his growth while gradually introducing him to other macaques.

Because infant monkeys typically cling to their mothers from birth, caretakers offered Punch blankets and stuffed toys to ease his anxiety. He chose the plush orangutan.

Clips shared widely on X show Punch hugging the toy while he sleeps. The account Volcaholic wrote on X that he also uses it as a shield when other young monkeys “scold” him.

“He was abandoned by his mother shortly after birth and has been hand-raised by zookeepers. They gave him a plush orangutan toy, which he carries everywhere", the account said. "Even taking it with him as he interacts with the other monkeys.”

In mid-January, Punch was successfully introduced to a group of macaques at the zoo. While he has begun interacting with them, he continues to stay close to his stuffed companion as he adjusts.

The videos have prompted an emotional response online.

“It has shrunk down as if it has discovered the safest, warmest place in the world,” one X user commented under the post.