Did you know a macaque named “Punch” recently got famous after being neglected by its mother? “Punch the Monkey” is a baby japanese macaque, which lives at the Ichikawa City Zoological and Botanical Garden in Japan. According to People.com, Punch was born in July 2025 but was abandoned by his mother soon after he was born. Since Punch was abandoned he relies on the zookeepers to take care of him because baby monkeys usually depend on their mothers. They gave him a stuffed orangutan toy to comfort, and Punch became very attached to the orangutan shortly after.

There are videos on social media capturing Punch hugging and carrying the stuffed toy. Because of all the videos on social media he has become very popular and many people around the world began watching his videos and feeling maternal when it comes to Punch. USA Today explains that many viewers feel bad for Punch because he seems very lonely and treats the toy like it was his parent.

Some videos also showed other monkeys pushing Punch and bothering him which made people worried that he was being bullied. According to the Houston Chronicle, the zookeepers watching the punch closely make sure he stays safe and healthy. The President for PETA says “Zoos are not sanctuaries. They are places where animals are confined, deprived of autonomy, and denied the complex environments and social lives they would have in the wild. Like all macaques, Punch should be growing up in a tight-knit family group, learning vital social skills and exploring a rich, natural habitat — not seeking solace from a toy in a concrete pit.”

Punch’s story became popular because it shows how animals can form emotional connections even with something as little as a stuffed toy.