Trending Now - Orphan Macaque Punch Forms Friendships as He Grows up

WHO:

Punch, the baby orphan macaque

Sanae Izumi, a 61-year-old Punch fan from Osaka

Kosuke Kano, a 24-year-old zookeeper

Shigekazu Mizushina, zoo director

WHAT:

Punch is outgrowing an orangutan plushie that provided comfort after being abandoned by his mother.

Punch has been seen climbing on the back of another monkey, sitting with adults, and receiving grooming and hugs.

The zoo implemented rules to limit visitor viewing to 10 minutes to reduce stress for Punch and over 50 other monkeys.

Punch still sleeps with his plush toy every night.

WHERE:

Ichikawa, Japan, at a zoo near Tokyo

WHEN:

Images of Punch with his toy gained popularity online in February 2026.

Observations of Punch's behavior were noted on a recent day in March 2026.

WHY:

Punch was abandoned by his mother, presumably due to exhaustion.

Zookeepers provided the plush toy to help Punch learn to cling, a necessary skill for newborn macaques.

The goal is to help Punch learn the rules of monkey society and be accepted by other monkeys.

HOW:

Zookeepers are nurturing Punch and monitoring his interactions with other monkeys to encourage his independence.

In Ichikawa, Japan, a baby orphan macaque named Punch is outgrowing the orangutan plushie that has been his source of comfort since being abandoned by his mother. Recently, Punch has been spotted climbing on the backs of other monkeys and receiving affection from adults, while the zoo has implemented a ten-minute viewing limit for visitors to help reduce his stress. Zookeepers are closely monitoring Punch's interactions to encourage his independence and help him learn the social rules of monkey life.