Baby Monkey ‘Punch’ Captivates the World, Sparks IKEA Boost and Zoo Visits
Ichikawa, Chiba, Japan – A baby Japanese macaque named Punch-kun, affectionately known as Punch, has become an overnight internet sensation, drawing crowds to the Ichikawa City Zoo and prompting a heartwarming response from IKEA. Born on July 26, 2025, Punch was abandoned by his mother shortly after birth and has found solace in an unlikely companion: a stuffed orangutan toy.
A Difficult Start and a Plush Friend
Punch-kun’s story began with hardship. After being rejected by his mother, zoo caretakers began hand-raising him, bottle-feeding him and working to integrate him into the zoo’s Monkey Mountain, home to around 60 other macaques, starting January 19, 2026. Initially, Punch struggled with socialization, exhibiting signs of anxiety and isolation [1]. However, zoo staff observed that he is “mentally strong” despite occasional ostracism [1].
To help him cope, zoo officials provided Punch with an IKEA Djungelskog orangutan plushie, which he quickly embraced as a surrogate mother, clinging to it for comfort [1], [2].
Viral Fame and IKEA’s Response
On February 5, 2026, the Ichikawa City Zoo shared Punch’s story online, and it quickly went viral [1]. The outpouring of support led to a surge in visitors to the zoo starting in February 2026 [1].
IKEA responded to Punch’s story by donating numerous stuffed animals to the zoo on February 17, presented by Ichikawa City Mayor Ko Tanaka and IKEA Japan President Petra Färe [2]. IKEA’s social media accounts globally have similarly joined in celebrating Punch, with creative posts featuring the Djungelskog toy [2].
Recent Challenges and Zoo’s Reassurance
A recent video showing Punch being briefly harassed by another macaque caused concern among fans [2]. However, the Ichikawa City Zoo reassured the public that the adult monkey was likely reacting to Punch’s attempts to interact with her own baby and emphasized Punch’s resilience [2]. The zoo encouraged supporters to continue supporting Punch’s socialization efforts [2].
Named for a Manga Legend
Punch-kun was named after Monkey Punch, the creator of the popular manga series Lupin the Third [1].
As of February 2026, Punch-kun weighs 2 kg (4.4 lb) [1].