A baby macaque named Punch has become an online sensation after images and videos showed the rejected infant clinging to a stuffed toy for comfort at Ichikawa City Zoo in Chiba, Japan.
Punch, a Japanese macaque born in mid-2024, was rejected by his mother shortly after birth. In a wild setting, this would almost certainly lead to death. At the zoo, staff intervened with hand-rearing, a common practice for orphaned or rejected primates in captivity. A key component of this care has been the provision of a small plush orangutan doll, which Punch carries, sleeps with, and seeks for reassurance when stressed.
Videos documenting Punch’s attachment to the toy, which he has been given the nickname “Oran Mama,” have been widely shared on social media platforms including X and Instagram. The images depict the infant monkey pressing his face into the stuffed animal and carrying it on his back, behavior zookeepers describe as a substitute for maternal contact.
While the online response has been overwhelmingly positive, the zoo emphasizes Punch’s ongoing social integration with the other macaques in his enclosure remains a gradual process. A February 6 update from Ichikawa City Zoo stated that Punch is “getting groomed, playfully poking at others, getting scolded, and having all sorts of experiences every day, steadily learning how to live as a monkey within the troop.”
The public fascination has translated into increased visitors to the zoo, with hundreds traveling to Ichikawa City to see Punch and his companion toy. For those unable to visit, the hashtag #がんばれパンチ (translated as “#HangInTherePunch”) is used by the zoo and followers to share updates.
Punch’s situation highlights the intensive care required for hand-reared primates and the complex social dynamics of monkey troops. His story resonates due to the clear depiction of a juvenile seeking comfort, a behavior that mirrors human development. The zoo’s approach provides both physical sustenance and a psychological prop to aid his transition toward normal social behavior.
The case underscores how specific animal narratives can capture global public attention, often focusing on moments of vulnerability and resilience. For now, Punch continues his development under close supervision, with his plush toy remaining a constant in his daily care routine.
