You’re talking about Punch, the beloved Japanese macaque infant who has become an internet sensation at the Ichikawa City Zoological and Botanical Garden in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Born on July 26, 2025, Punch was abandoned by his mother shortly after birth and raised entirely through hand‑rearing. The IKEA orangutan plush toy given to him by the keepers quickly became his inseparable “mother” and a source of comfort and security.

Going Viral—and Daily Life

Wherever Punch goes, he clutches that orange plush toy—never letting it out of his grasp while eating, sleeping, or playing. When startled, he’ll even bury himself deep within the soft, fluffy fabric of the toy. Videos featuring Punch went viral on social media platforms worldwide from late 2025 to early 2026, earning him the title of “a top-tier, feel‑good influencer.” The zoo has been actively working to integrate Punch back into the monkey troop; with his outgoing personality, Punch is gradually beginning to interact with his peers—and occasionally, he even puts the plush toy down.