Punch the Monkey: From Abandoned Macaque Baby to Global Viral Sensation

Punch the Monkey, the Japanese macaque baby who went viral for his orangutan doll, has now captured the internet's attention.

Punch the Monkey: From Abandoned Macaque Baby to Global Viral Sensation
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Punch the Monkey, the Japanese macaque baby who went viral for his orangutan doll, has now captured the internet's attention. (X/@ichikawa_zoo)

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - In early February 2026, the internet was captivated by the story of a baby Japanese macaque named Punch the Monkey.

Born on July 26, 2025, at the Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan, Punch was abandoned by his mother shortly after his heartbreaking birth.

Punch became deeply attached to a stuffed orangutan given to him by his caretakers, treating it as a surrogate mother and an irreplaceable source of comfort.

Photos and videos showing Punch tightly hugging the stuffed animal became the primary trigger for the story's virality.

The Ichikawa City Zoo shared Punch's story and photos on their official X account, asking for warm support for his growth, which then sparked a wave of global sympathy.

Now, in February 2026, Punch has shown significant progress in integrating into the zoo's monkey community.

Punch the Monkey: Birth, Origins, and Viral Sensation

Punch, a male Japanese macaque baby, was born at Ichikawa City Zoo on July 26, 2025.

Sadly, shortly after his birth, he was abandoned by his mother, a common occurrence in both the wild and captivity.

During his care, the keepers gave Punch a stuffed orangutan, serving as a surrogate mother and a source of emotional comfort.

Punch was seen constantly hugging the stuffed animal, a touching sight that contributed to his popularity.

The story of Punch the monkey began to spread widely in early February 2026, when the Ichikawa City Zoo shared his story and photos on their official X (formerly Twitter) account.

Images and videos of Punch tightly hugging his stuffed toy touched the hearts of millions, sparking a wide-ranging emotional response, and the hashtag #がんばれパンチ (meaning #HangInTherePunch) went viral online.

Punch the Monkey's Integration and Socialization Journey

On January 19, 2026, Punch the monkey was successfully integrated into the monkey group at Ichikawa City Zoo, a significant step in his development.

Despite joining the group, Punch still regularly carries his stuffed toy.

Initially, the transition was quite difficult, with other macaques showing wariness toward Punch.

In a viral clip, an older macaque even attacks Punch which makes him run away and hug the orangutan doll.

Evsn so, Punch has shown significant progress in socialization.

Recent videos from the zoo show Punch receiving care from fellow monkeys and even hugging another monkey, indicating positive developments in his social bonds.

The Impact of Punch the Monkey Popularity

Punch the monkey's viral popularity has had a significant impact on Ichikawa City Zoo.

Since his story spread, the zoo has experienced a significant surge in visitors.

IKEA Japan, the company behind Punch's beloved DJUNGELSKOG orangutan doll, demonstrated its commitment.

On February 17, 2026, IKEA donated 33 identical dolls and seven storage items to the zoo.

By early February 2026, Punch the monkey had reached a weight of approximately two kilograms and continued to receive supplementary feeding from his caretakers.