Punch (monkey)
Orphaned Japanese macaque (born 2025)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Punch-kun (Japanese: パンチくん, Hepburn: Panchi-kun; born July 26, 2025), or simply Punch, sometimes also referred to as Punch Monkey, is a baby Japanese macaque, or snow monkey, at the Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan. He gained viral attention on social media for his attachment to a large orangutan djungelskog stuffed toy. Punch's internet popularity led to a surge in visitors to the zoo starting in February 2026.
Ichikawa, Chiba, Japan
Punch in March 2026 | |
| Species | Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) |
|---|---|
| Sex | Male |
| Born | July 26, 2025 (age 7 months) Ichikawa, Chiba, Japan |
| Known for | Using a stuffed orangutan plushie |
| Residence | Ichikawa City Zoo |
| Weight | 2 kg (4.4 lb) (February 2026)[1] |
| Named after | Monkey Punch |
Biography
Punch was born on July 26, 2025, at the Ichikawa City Zoo. He was named after Monkey Punch, the mangaka who authored Lupin the Third.[2] Subsequently, he was abandoned by his mother, who lacked interest in raising him. Alison Behie, a primatology expert at Australian National University, attributed "age, health and inexperience" as potential factors in mothers abandoning their offspring. Zookeepers have also suggested that Punch was born during a heatwave which is a "high stress environment" for mothers giving birth and they may "prioritise their own health and future reproduction rather than continue to care for an infant whose health may be compromised by those environmental conditions".[3] The following day, he was artificially fed, drinking milk from a baby bottle, and two caretakers began hand-raising him.[2]
Punch was integrated with other macaques at the zoo's Monkey Mountain, with around 60 monkeys, on January 19, 2026.[4][1] Due to the lack of a maternal figure, Punch initially struggled with socializing, showing "signs of anxiety and isolation".[5] However, one keeper stated that despite occasional ostracizing by other macaques, Punch was "mentally strong".[1] In one viral clip circulated in February, a monkey pushed Punch away.[6] Takashi Yasunaga, head of Ichikawa's zoo and botanical gardens, called Punch-kun "very outgoing".[2] To aid in his socialization and muscle growth, zoo officials gave Punch a Djungelskog orangutan plushie from IKEA, which he began clinging to and treating as a surrogate mother.[7][8][9]
As of February 23, 2026, the Ichikawa City Zoo reported that Punch was playing with other monkeys and able to eat without requiring help from a caretaker.[10] On March 5, the zoo announced that Punch was clinging his plushie toy less and had begun to socialize with adult monkeys.[11][12]
Reception
On February 5, 2026, the zoo made an online post about Punch's backstory, which became an overnight sensation.[2] More images of Punch-kun with the orangutan plushie soon went viral in Japan and abroad, and the hashtag #HangInTherePunch (#がんばれパンチ) began circulating online.[13] Nicknames have also been given to the orangutan plushie itself, such as "Oran-Mama" or "Oran-Mother."[2] Long queues began forming at the Ichikawa City Zoo, which zoo officials considered unprecedented, causing them to apologize for delays in entry.[14] The number of visitors to the zoo in February 2026 doubled from the previous year.[15]
On February 17, IKEA representatives visited the Ichikawa City Zoo and donated 33 stuffed toys to Punch.[16] Sales of the Djungelskog orangutan plushie heavily increased, selling out in the majority of IKEA locations.[15] In March, Blackpink member Lisa visited Punch herself and posted an Instagram story of her own orangutan plushie from IKEA.[17]
On February 27, Google added a search animation to queries about Punch, showing an "animated monkey icon" and showering "Bright pink hearts" from the top of the screen.[18] Punch is featured on Roku screensavers.[19]
Punch's circumstances became the subject of various op-ed pieces trying to diagnose why his story became a global sensation. Louie Villalobos, writing for USA Today, stated that "Punch reminds us of the loneliness and sadness we've felt in our lives from loss or rejection, and the feeling that maybe we weren't enough. But he is also teaching us that there is always hope through perseverance in the face of rejection."[20] Mary McNamara, writing for the Los Angeles Times, shared that her daughter typed "I am Punch and he is me" into her family group chat and argued that it was "a sentiment shared by many," as "Everyone knows what it's like to feel small and bewildered as you circle a social group, seeking a way in, just as everyone knows what it's like to be rejected by those whose approval we seek."[21] Today observed social media reactions from users casting sympathy and companionship to Punch from afar along the lines of "We're ALL Punch's family now" and "We're not okay."[22]
Despite this, Punch also received some criticism. The Daily Show host Jon Stewart gives a controversial take on Punch while attacking Donald Trump's comments on the Supreme Court of the United States. Initially, he said that Trump's comments were so dispiriting that the Supreme Court " need one of them stuffed comfort monkeys that poor Punch has” before adding " there is probably something wrong with that [f*cking] monkey.”[23] Stewart agrees that the images of Punch with his plush toy was adorable but adding "who are we to question the wisdom of the tribe?" much to his groaning audience.[23] Stewart doubles down on the criticism, “Even that [f*cking] stuffed monkey looks like, ‘Hey, I don’t want to be here. I could be living The Life of Riley in a nice bedroom in Westchester. Instead, I’m being dragged through the gravel in the middle of Ichikawa'” before he finally apologizes.[24] Despite this, his 'hot take' was not well received as some viewers were not happy about Stewart's scathing jokes on Punch which was typically reserved for politicians like Trump in his show.[25]
PETA criticized Ichikawa City Zoo over Punch's treatment, arguing that the photo showed the animal's stress and social depression. They called for Punch to be relocated to a wildlife reserve. The group also raised concerns about the premature separation from his mother and the challenges in integrating him with other monkeys, citing potential long-term welfare implications.[26]
