At the Ichikawa City Zoo in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, a baby monkey named Punch became a household name in mid-February 2026, as photos and videos of him were being shared widely on social media.
Punch is a Japanese macaque who was born in July 2025 but was abandoned by his mother shortly after birth. Because the mother was terrified of the challenge of holding the baby for the first time, zoo staff helped to comfort and nurse Punch by hand to help him reach a viable age.
Without a mother, Punch often missed providing emotional security to the baby while being placed with other monkeys. They spent time trying to get Punch to hold onto a string to replace his mother. Then they found a favorite toy for him, a long-haired, aquamarine orangutan doll that was the right size for Punch to hold and bond with.
The many photos and videos showing Punch holding the doll, “Ora-mama,” have become a popular meme, making social media famous, and new hashtags like #HangInTherePunch have attracted fans from around the world.
Earlier, Punch had difficulty socializing with his group, with footage showing various monkeys pulling or pushing him as he sought companionship. This has raised concerns among onlookers, who have since claimed that this is a normal part of monkey society, where they are guiding him to learn and develop the social skills he lacks.
In his most recent appearance, Punch has taken a major social step — when some of the older monkeys began to care for him and play with him. Photos and videos show Punch joining in with other monkeys, developing a level of trust and enjoying a range of social skills.
While Punch is still quiet on his “Ora-mama” toy when he’s on vacation, he’s begun to play with his friends and has reached the point where he can put down his tools for trouble, attracting genuine playmates, not just strangers.
Punch’s popularity has also led to a surge in viewership, with a safety zone set up to try to protect the animal from the onlookers.
Despite criticism from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) over the care of animals in zoos, Punch is receiving much love and support, and is a solid example of how to thrive in a monkey society.
🔥 Punch is currently undergoing a social development with a group of monkeys, and fans around the world are waiting to see the latest developments and their impact.
Punch is a Japanese macaque monkey born in July 2025. After birth, his mother was unable to care for him due to her lack of experience in raising a baby. So, zoo staff took over the care, nursing him and monitoring his health. This hands-on care helped Punch survive and thrive in the early stages.
During his adaptation to the monkey community, Punch showed signs of fear and anxiety because his mother was not around. To help him emotionally, staff gave him a brown orangutan to cuddle. The toy became a psychological surrogate, making Punch feel safe and calm. The photo of him hugging the toy went viral on social media and attracted the attention of viewers around the world.
However, integrating Punch into the group was not easy. At first, some of the older monkeys showed bullying behaviors, such as pushing and pulling. However, zoo experts explained that this is a normal part of monkey socialization, which takes time to establish a hierarchy and build relationships. Punch has now started playing with other monkeys and showing more courage.
Recent reports show that Punch is doing well, gaining weight at a healthy rate and is better able to feed himself. It has also begun to rely less on toys and engage in more social activities. Keepers have said the aim is for Punch to live naturally in a group of monkeys, without relying too much on people or substitutes.
Punch’s fame has also sparked a debate about animal welfare in zoos. Organisations such as PETA have raised concerns about keeping wild animals in human environments. However, the zoo has said it follows strict care standards and focuses on Punch’s physical and mental health first.
Punch is now a symbol of resilience and adaptability. From an abandoned baby monkey, he has become a beloved pet by millions. Many visitors have flocked to the zoo to see him in person, while staff continue to monitor his development to ensure that Punch grows up to be a healthy, independent monkey in his own community.
