Punch's Story
On July 26, 2025, in the middle of a brutal Japanese heatwave, a tiny baby macaque was born at the Ichikawa City Zoological and Botanical Gardens in Chiba, Japan. The next day, his mother stopped caring for him. Just one day old, the infant was alone -- but not for long. Two dedicated zookeepers stepped in, bottle-feeding him around the clock and giving him an oversized IKEA DJUNGELSKOG orangutan plushie for warmth and comfort. He clung to it immediately and hasn't let go since.
They named him Punch-kun (パンチくん), after Monkey Punch -- the legendary mangaka who created Lupin the Third. For months, the zookeepers raised him by hand, preparing him for the hardest challenge of his young life: joining the zoo's troop of roughly 60 macaques at Monkey Mountain.
On January 19, 2026, Punch was carefully introduced to the troop. Then, on February 5, the zoo shared his story on X (Twitter) -- and the world fell in love. Images of the tiny monkey clutching his oversized plushie among a crowd of wild macaques touched something universal. Within hours, #HangInTherePunch was trending globally. Now Punch-kun is learning the rules of monkey society, making friends, getting scolded by elders, and always returning to his plushie for comfort. His journey is far from over.
Timeline
Punch is born
A baby Japanese macaque is born at Ichikawa City Zoological and Botanical Gardens in Chiba, Japan during a severe heatwave. The difficult labor would lead to complications.
Abandoned by his mother
Punch's mother stops caring for him just one day after birth. Two dedicated zookeepers step in to hand-raise the tiny macaque with round-the-clock bottle feeding.
Meets his plushie companion
Zookeepers give Punch an IKEA DJUNGELSKOG orangutan stuffed animal for emotional comfort and to help build his climbing muscles. He immediately clings to it.
Named after a manga legend
The baby macaque is officially named Punch-kun (パンチくん), after Monkey Punch — the mangaka who created Lupin the Third.
Joins the troop at Monkey Mountain
After months of hand-raising, Punch is carefully introduced to the main macaque troop of approximately 60 monkeys at the zoo's Monkey Mountain enclosure.
A tough day at the troop
A controversial video shows an adult female macaque dragging Punch across the enclosure. He flees to his plushie for comfort. The video sparks worldwide concern.
Acceptance begins
The zoo explains the dragging was normal macaque discipline. In a major milestone, adult macaque Onsing is seen grooming Punch — a key sign of social acceptance in macaque society.
Onsing becomes Punch's guardian
Onsing — the adult macaque who gave Punch his first real hug — now stays close as a protector. Footage shows Onsing positioned at Punch's side in the enclosure, watching over him as he navigates troop life.
Two troop members groom Punch
Around 5pm, two macaques are spotted carefully grooming Punch — the clearest sign yet of real acceptance. Grooming in macaque society isn't just affection, it's trust. He's not just being tolerated anymore; he's being welcomed.
Punch eats on his own for the first time
The Feb 23 keeper report is the most positive yet: no scolding observed, Punch was seen playing freely with other baby monkeys, and at mealtime he climbed down from the keeper's foot on his own to eat independently. A quiet but meaningful milestone.
Punch finds his kindred spirit — Go-chan
Punch forms a close bond with Go-chan, a monkey who grew up in a circus and was badly bullied — the stress left visible marks on his body. After being rescued and brought to Ichikawa Zoo, Go-chan stayed close to Punch. Two animals who both know what it feels like to be left out, finding each other.
Monkey see, monkey do — Punch copies an elder in the rain
Caught on video sheltering from a rain shower, Punch tucks in beside an older macaque and copies their posture perfectly. It's a tiny thing, but watching him learn by imitation — instead of retreating to his plushie — says so much about how far he's come.
Punch runs straight to his zookeeper at feeding time
During feeding, Punch spots his keeper and runs over to cling on tight — refusing to let go. The little guy who once had only a plushie for comfort now has a whole team of humans and monkeys in his corner.
Plays freely — no plushie needed
Zoo keepers report that Punch spent time playing energetically with other young monkeys without bringing his Djungelskog along. The little guy who once couldn't let go of that stuffed orangutan is starting to find his footing on his own terms.
Punch hitches a piggyback ride on a friend
Visitors and zoo staff witness a breakthrough: Punch cuddles up with a fellow macaque, then climbs right onto his back for a full piggyback ride. In macaque society, riding on another monkey's back is one of the most important bonding behaviors for young ones — and proof that the little guy truly belongs.
Punch waves goodbye to zoo visitors
As the zoo PA announces closing time, Punch lifts his tiny arm and waves at the departing crowd — a gesture he seems to have picked up from watching visitors wave at him. Whether it's a true wave or just a well-timed arm raise, the clip went mega-viral and melted millions of hearts.
A scare at the pond — but friends to the rescue
An older monkey bit Punch at the neck and knocked him into the pond before feeding time. The internet held its breath, but the keepers confirmed he was fine — no injuries, eating and running around by dinnertime. Best of all, his friends Moe and Momiage immediately came over and hugged him. The little guy who once had nobody now has friends who show up when it counts.
Outgrowing Ora-mama
The zoo announces that Punch is using his beloved IKEA plushie less and less during the day, choosing to spend time with real monkeys instead. He still sleeps with Ora-mama at night, but the keepers say the next milestone they're watching for is Punch sleeping bunched up with the troop.
Punch finds a special friend — Momo-chan
Visitors catch Punch exchanging kisses, hugs, and cuddles with a female macaque named Momo-chan. Caretaker Kosuke Shikano confirmed the pairing. From the baby who once had only a stuffed orangutan for company to a little guy with a girlfriend — what a journey.
Punch becomes the hero
When a bigger monkey attacked his friend Moe-chan near a cliff edge, Punch — the baby who once needed everyone else to protect him — climbed up and knocked the bully off. Moe-chan wrapped him in a hug right after. The little guy isn't just surviving troop life anymore; he's standing up for his friends.