When Punch, a seven-month old baby Japanese macaque, was rejected by his own mother, the whole world came together and cried for him. When Punch was bullied by his own species, again the Internet went sad and many good samaritans expressed their willingness to adopt him. And when in a quiet corner of Ichikawa City Zoological and Botanical Gardens in Chiba Prefecture of Japan, Punch accepted a plushie toy as his mom/comfort, the world again felt his pain. Soon he became one of the most talked-about animal stories of 2026. But looks like good days have arrived for Punch. As per latest videos and updates shared by the zoo, the baby has finally found new friends. Now the Internet can’t keep calm. Reactions are pouring in from across the world and there are hours of waiting in line outside the zoo in Japan, just to meet the viral Punch. After facing abandonment and isolation, he showed immense courage and received global affection. Abandoned by his own mother at birthPunch was born in July 2025. But unfortunately his mother rejected him shortly after birth. He was left alone at an infant age. For those who don’t know, Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) are social primates. These are known for their strong family bonds. In the wild and in captivity, infants instinctively cling to their mothers for love, care, warmth and emotional comfort. But Punch, a motherless monkey, faced several issues, along with existential crisis. “Ora-mama”: An comfort companion Looking at Punch’s condition, the zookeepers began raising him, feeding him and also cuddling him. They gradually introduced him to his surroundings. But this could not fill his maternal emotional needs. To fill this gap, the keepers tried something unusual and introduced him to soft objects as surrogate friends. They gave him an orangutan toy from Swedish brand IKEA and Punch connected with it. Something about the toy, his soft fur or warmth resonated with Punch. The viral video clips showed him clutching the toy, dragging it around, and falling asleep beside it. The toy, known as Djungelskog the orangutan, quickly earned the affectionate nickname “Ora-mama” among Punch’s online fans.Global FameShortly after clips of Punch and his plush went viral on several social media platforms. People started responding to it. The clip was soon overloaded with likes and overwhelming sympathy. Millions of views, shares, and posts under hashtag #HangInTherePunch turned him into a global star. People started creating videos wearing monkey masks, with titles, “On my way to be Punch’s mother”, and more.His became a story of resilience and not of loss. Punch’s latest updateWhile initial moments of the videos showed difficult phases like: Punch trying to blend in with other monkeys but being pushed away, ignored or even bullied by older kin. These clips added emotional weight and support for Punch grew stronger.But Punch’s story didn’t end in isolation. Recent updates from visitors and zoo keepers confirm that he has made new friends and has been accepted.There are many who visited the zoo in late February where clips show him playing and even briefly leaving his beloved plush behind. In macaque society, an activity like grooming another monkey and being groomed in return is a sign of acceptance. This shows Punch is slowly becoming a part of his peer group.But the toy goes everywhere. The “Punch Effect”The phenomenon surrounding Punch and his plushie has gone viral. The demand for orangutan plush has spiked across the globe. The company is busy restocking the toy and donating additional plushies and supplies to the zoo to support Punch.What Punch teaches usBeyond emotional videos, Punch’s story nudges deeper themes which common people resonate with worldwide. We understood the importance of connection and the resilience to keep trying even after rejection. Today, Punch is more than just a viral animal, he’s a symbol of hope.How to meet Punch
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Punch lives in Ichikawa City Zoological and Botanical GardensOpening Hours & Tickets• Tuesday to Sunday: 9:30 AM–4:30 PM (last entry 4:00 PM)• Closed Mondays and select public holidaysHow to reach from Tokyo From Tokyo: Take the JR Sōbu Line from Tokyo or other stations toward Ichikawa Station. From Ichikawa Station, local bus or taxi will take about 15–20 min to the zoo.By Car: There’s parking available near the zoo (240 spaces), though weekends and holidays can be busy.And Punch lives on.
