Japan: Baby Macaque “Punch” Wins Hearts After Finding Comfort in Plush Surrogacy

A six-month-old Japanese macaque named Punch at Ichikawa City Zoo has gained attention in Japan and abroad. After being rejected by his first-time mother, he was hand-raised by staff and often clung to an orangutan plush toy as a surrogate comfort, touching many hearts. Even after rejoining the troop, he kept the toy for a while, but he is gradually bonding with other monkeys and growing stronger. On social media, the hashtag “#GoPunch” has spread, with visitors continuing to cheer him on.

• Product Code
• ILEA005071789

• Registered date
• 2026/2/24 23:22:35

• Credit
• @k012mi_cnt via Spectee

• Media source
• @k012mi_cnt via Spectee

• Media size
• 1920 × 1080 pixel

• Deployment size
• 37.42(MB)*

• Special instruction
• Chiba Prefecture, Japan Video Recording Date/Time: February 14, 2026 at about 15:00h, Video Location: Ichikawa City Zoo in Ichikawa
  

*File size when opened in Photoshop, etc.