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Japan: Baby Macaque “Punch” Wins Hearts After Finding Comfort in Plush Surrogacy 2

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.

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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.

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Japan: Tokyo’s Beloved Panda Twins Depart for China Amid Fan Farewell

Twin giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, born and raised at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo, departed for their return to China on Tuesday, January 27. As the two pandas left Ueno Zoo by truck in the afternoon, heading to Narita Airport, hundreds of fans gathered along the sidewalk near the zoo to see them off.

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China return for Ueno zoo pandas

People bid farewell to male giant panda Xiao Xiao and his twin sister Lei Lei of Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens as an airplane carrying them left for China from Narita airport near Tokyo on Jan. 27, 2026.

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China return for Ueno zoo pandas

Male giant panda Xiao Xiao and his twin sister Lei Lei of Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens are loaded into an airplane at Narita airport near Tokyo on Jan. 27, 2026, to depart to China.

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China return for Ueno zoo pandas

A farewell message for male giant panda Xiao Xiao and his twin sister Lei Lei of Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens is posted on a building of department store Matsuzakaya Ueno in Tokyo on Jan. 27, 2026, ahead of their departure to China.

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China return for Ueno zoo pandas

A truck carrying male giant panda Xiao Xiao and his twin sister Lei Lei leaves Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 27, 2026 before they are sent to China.

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China return for Ueno zoo pandas

People watch a truck carrying male giant panda Xiao Xiao and his twin sister Lei Lei leave Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 27, 2026, before the animals are sent to China, marking the first time that Japan will be without pandas since the first ones arrived in the country in 1972.

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China return for Ueno zoo pandas

A truck carrying male giant panda Xiao Xiao and his twin sister Lei Lei leaves Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 27, 2026, before the animals are sent to China, marking the first time that Japan will be without pandas since the first ones arrived in the country in 1972.

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China return for Ueno zoo pandas

People watch a truck carrying male giant panda Xiao Xiao and his twin sister Lei Lei leave Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 27, 2026, before the animals are sent to China, marking the first time that Japan will be without pandas since the first ones arrived in the country in 1972.

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China return for Ueno zoo pandas

A truck carrying male giant panda Xiao Xiao and his twin sister Lei Lei leaves Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 27, 2026, before the animals are sent to China, marking the first time that Japan will be without pandas since the first ones arrived in the country in 1972.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

TOKYO, Japan, Jan. 25 Kyodo - Video shows Xiao Xiao, a male giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of his public viewing. He and his twin sister Lei Lei will be returned to China later January. (Kyodo)

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China return for Ueno zoo pandas

Combined photo shows male giant panda Xiao Xiao (R) and his twin sister Lei Lei at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, ahead of their departure to China on Jan. 27. (Pool photo)

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

People in the final group selected by lottery to view male giant panda Xiao Xiao and his twin sister Lei Lei bid farewell to him at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, before the pandas' departure for China later in the month.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Lei Lei, a female giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of her public viewing. She and her twin brother Xiao Xiao will be returned to China later January. (Pool photo)

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Xiao Xiao, a male giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of his public viewing. He and his twin sister Lei Lei will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Xiao Xiao, a male giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of his public viewing. He and his twin sister Lei Lei will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Xiao Xiao, a male giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of his public viewing. He and his twin sister Lei Lei will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Xiao Xiao, a male giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of his public viewing. He and his twin sister Lei Lei will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Lei Lei, a female giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of her public viewing. She and her twin brother Xiao Xiao will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Xiao Xiao, a male giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of his public viewing. He and his twin sister Lei Lei will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Xiao Xiao, a male giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of his public viewing. He and his twin sister Lei Lei will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Xiao Xiao, a male giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of his public viewing. He and his twin sister Lei Lei will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Xiao Xiao, a male giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of his public viewing. He and his twin sister Lei Lei will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

People queue at the cage for giant pandas at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final public-viewing day for Lei Lei and her twin brother Xiao Xiao. The animals will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows a shop selling giant panda goods at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final public-viewing day for Lei Lei and her twin brother Xiao Xiao. The animals will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Xiao Xiao, a male giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of his public viewing. He and his twin sister Lei Lei will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Lei Lei, a female giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of her public viewing. She and her twin brother Xiao Xiao will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Lei Lei, a female giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of her public viewing. She and her twin brother Xiao Xiao will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Xiao Xiao, a male giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of his public viewing. He and his twin sister Lei Lei will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows a shop selling giant panda goods at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final public-viewing day for Lei Lei and her twin brother Xiao Xiao. The animals will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Lei Lei, a female giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of her public viewing. She and her twin brother Xiao Xiao will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Lei Lei, a female giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of her public viewing. She and her twin brother Xiao Xiao will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Lei Lei, a female giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of her public viewing. She and her twin brother Xiao Xiao will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Xiao Xiao, a male giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of his public viewing. He and his twin sister Lei Lei will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Lei Lei, a female giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of her public viewing. She and her twin brother Xiao Xiao will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Lei Lei, a female giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of her public viewing. She and her twin brother Xiao Xiao will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Lei Lei, a female giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of her public viewing. She and her twin brother Xiao Xiao will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Lei Lei, a female giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of her public viewing. She and her twin brother Xiao Xiao will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Lei Lei, a female giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of her public viewing. She and her twin brother Xiao Xiao will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Lei Lei, a female giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of her public viewing. She and her twin brother Xiao Xiao will be returned to China later January.

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Final viewing day for Ueno zoo pandas

Photo shows Lei Lei, a female giant panda, at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Jan. 25, 2026, the final day of her public viewing. She and her twin brother Xiao Xiao will be returned to China later January.

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Giant Panda Returns to China - Tokyo

A visitor chooses souvenirs of giant panda Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 25, 2025. Giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, currently residing at a zoo in Tokyo, will depart for China on Jan. 27, marking the first time in about half a century that Japan will be without any pandas, local media reported. Photo by Jia Haocheng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Giant Panda Returns to China - Tokyo

Visitors take photos of giant panda Xiao Xiao at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 25, 2025. Giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, currently residing at a zoo in Tokyo, will depart for China on Jan. 27, marking the first time in about half a century that Japan will be without any pandas, local media reported. Photo by Jia Haocheng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Giant Panda Returns to China - Tokyo

Giant panda Xiao Xiao is seen at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 25, 2025. Giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, currently residing at a zoo in Tokyo, will depart for China on Jan. 27, marking the first time in about half a century that Japan will be without any pandas, local media reported. Photo by Jia Haocheng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Giant Panda Returns to China - Tokyo

Giant panda Xiao Xiao is seen at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 25, 2025. Giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, currently residing at a zoo in Tokyo, will depart for China on Jan. 27, marking the first time in about half a century that Japan will be without any pandas, local media reported. Photo by Jia Haocheng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Giant Panda Returns to China - Tokyo

Giant panda Lei Lei is seen at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 25, 2025. Giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, currently residing at a zoo in Tokyo, will depart for China on Jan. 27, marking the first time in about half a century that Japan will be without any pandas, local media reported. Photo by Jia Haocheng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Giant Panda Returns to China - Tokyo

Visitors take photos of giant panda Lei Lei at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 25, 2025. Giant pandas Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, currently residing at a zoo in Tokyo, will depart for China on Jan. 27, marking the first time in about half a century that Japan will be without any pandas, local media reported. Photo by Jia Haocheng/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

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[Breaking News]Wolf escapes at western Tokyo zoo

TOKYO, Japan, Dec. 29 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows an aerial view of the Tama Zoological Park in Hino, western Tokyo, shortly after noon on Dec. 28, 2025, where a wolf escaped from its enclosure. The European wolf was recaptured at around 2:20 p.m. after being spotted on a public pathway inside the zoo. (Kyodo)

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Pandas at Tokyo's Ueno zoo set to return to China

TOKYO, Japan, Dec. 16 Kyodo - Xiao Xiao, a male giant panda, is pictured at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Dec. 16, 2025, a day after the announcement that he and his twin sister Lei Lei will be returned to China the following month. (Kyodo)