Viral abandoned baby macaque ‘Punch’ draws crowds to the Japanese zoo

A sixmonthold baby macaque named Punch has become an unexpected star at Ichikawa City Zoo near Tokyo of JapanPunch went viral on social media platform X after videos showed him clinging to zookeepers and dragging around a stuffed orangutan toyThe clips gained wide attention and inspired the hashtag HangInTherePunch A baby macaque has shot to social media stardom after being abandoned by his motherSixmonthold Punch became an internet sensation after footage of him clinging forlornly to zookeepers and dragging around a stuffed orangutan toy were widely shared on X pictwittercom89P5bFDsrjmdash AFP News Agency AFP February 20 2026 According to the reports Punch was born in July but was abandoned by his mother It may have been her first litter or she may have lacked stamina during the summer heat In the wild baby macaques cling to their mothers for safety and to build muscle strength Without his mother Punch was raised in an artificial environment at the zooZookeepers tried offering towels and other soft toys but Punch chose a longlegged stuffed orangutan ldquoIt was easy for him to grabrdquo a keeper said adding that it may have reminded him of another monkeyPunch learns to socialiseLast month Punch began training to rejoin his troop at Ichikawa City Zoo located near Tokyo Earlier this month the zoo shared encouraging updates saying he was gradually integrating He has been seen ldquoplayfully poking others and getting scoldedrdquo normal behaviour for a young monkey learning social rulesOn Friday more than 100 visitors gathered around the enclosure to catch a glimpse of him Some strained to take photos while others shouted ldquoHang in thererdquo as Punch tried to approach other monkeysldquoWersquore here since this morning We rarely come to a zoo but we wanted to see cute Punchrdquo said 32yearold Sayaka Takimoto who drove two hours with her husband The couple described the videos of Punch carrying his stuffed toy as ldquoadorablerdquo as per AFP reportsAnother visitor Yoko 50 said she had carefully studied his photos beforehand ldquoHersquos so cute so I had to come see himrdquo she said ldquoIt makes me a little sad hersquos growing so fast but Irsquom relieved to see hersquos making friendsrdquo as per AFP reportsAddressing concernsNot all moments have been easy A widely shared video showing Punch being dragged by an adult monkey worried some supporters In response the zoo issued a statement urging fans to ldquosupport Punchrsquos effortsrdquo as he continues learning to socialise Officials reassured the public that the troop has not shown any serious aggressionldquoWhile Punch is scolded by other monkeys he shows mental strength and resiliencerdquo the statement said as per AFP reportsPunchrsquos journey from an abandoned newborn clinging to a stuffed toy to a young monkey slowly finding his place among his peers has touched thousands As he grows stronger and more confident visitors continue to cheer him on hoping that the oncelonely baby macaque will soon feel fully at home with his troopWith AFP Inputs