Abandoned baby monkey Punch finds comfort in an Ikea toy at Japan zoo

ICHIKAWA, JAPAN: A baby Japanese macaque abandoned at birth has become an unlikely attraction at a zoo near Tokyo, thanks to a stuffed orangutan bought from Ikea.

The infant, named Punch, was rejected by his mother shortly after he was born at Ichikawa City Zoo seven months ago. After visitors alerted staff, keepers intervened to prevent developmental harm, Reuters reported.

Young macaques typically cling to their mothers to build muscle strength and develop social bonds. Without that contact, Punch faced serious risks, said zookeeper Kosuke Shikano. Staff tested makeshift substitutes, rolled towels and other toys, before settling on a bright orange stuffed orangutan from IKEA.

The toy’s long hair and multiple grip points made it a close functional match, Shikano said, adding that its resemblance to a primate could help Punch integrate with the troop later. Since then, the macaque has rarely been seen without it.

Within weeks, images and videos of Punch clutching the plush toy spread rapidly on social media, turning the infant macaque into a viral figure and drawing millions of views online. Fans began rallying around the hashtag #がんばれパンチ: loosely translated as “Hang in there, Punch”, to express support for the abandoned monkey.

The attention soon prompted a response from IKEA itself. Earlier this week, the Scandinavian furniture retailer donated dozens of stuffed animals to the zoo following Punch’s viral rise. On 17 February, Ichikawa City mayor Ko Tanaka. She shared photographs on X showing the donation alongside Ikea Japan president Petra Färe. The zoo said the toys will be used not only for Punch but also for other animals requiring enrichment or comfort.

Several widely shared clips showed Punch being pushed away or ignored by older monkeys in the enclosure, fuelling concern among viewers who saw the toy as his only source of comfort. Some users even called for a “Punch protection squad”, while others posted emotional messages pledging to visit the zoo to see him.

By mid-February, further footage circulated online appearing to show Punch being dragged by an older macaque, prompting an outcry that led the zoo to issue a public clarification. Zookeepers said the animal involved was likely the mother of another infant and had reacted defensively after Punch attempted to interact with her baby: behaviour they described as normal within macaque social hierarchies.

Keepers believe the mother may have abandoned Punch due to extreme heat during last July’s birth season. While the infant has struggled at times to communicate with other monkeys, staff say the interactions are part of a normal learning curve.

Shikano expects the bond with the toy to fade. “There will come a day when he no longer needs it,” he said.

(Note: The cover image is AI-generated and is meant for representational purposes only.)