Baby Monkey Abandoned by Its Mother Clings to and Snuggles Up to a Plush Toy
A baby monkey abandoned by his mother has captured hearts online after being seen cuddling a soft toy for comfort, carrying it everywhere like a substitute parent.
Punch, a six-month-old macaque living at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan, has unexpectedly become an internet favourite after clips of his behaviour began circulating widely on social media. In the videos, the tiny primate is shown clinging tightly to a stuffed orangutan, treating it as his constant companion.
According to reports, Punch was born in July 2025 but was rejected by his mother shortly after birth. With the infant left without maternal care, zookeepers stepped in and began raising him by hand. Staff members fed him, monitored his health, and closely watched his growth to ensure he developed properly.
Because young monkeys naturally rely on their mothers from the moment they are born, Punch’s caretakers knew he would likely struggle with anxiety and separation. To help him feel secure, they provided blankets and soft toys, hoping he would find comfort in something warm and familiar.
Punch quickly became attached to one particular item: a plush orangutan. Since then, he has rarely been seen without it. Footage widely shared on X shows Punch hugging the stuffed toy while sleeping, wrapping his arms tightly around it and pressing his face into its fabric as if it were a real parent.
Other clips show him gripping the toy closely while cautiously exploring his surroundings. In some moments, Punch can be seen approaching other young macaques while still clutching his plush companion protectively. One social media user even claimed that the baby monkey uses the toy as a shield when other monkeys “scold” him during play, adding another emotional layer to the story.
In mid-January, zookeepers carefully introduced Punch to a small group of macaques as part of the next step in helping him adapt to life in the troop. While he has slowly begun interacting with the other monkeys, the stuffed orangutan remains close by as he adjusts to his new environment.
The touching videos have sparked an emotional response online, with many people expressing sympathy for Punch and admiration for the zoo staff who stepped in to help. ‘It’s as if he’s found the safest, warmest place in the world,’ one user wrote.
Another shared a deeper reflection, saying: ‘A baby monkey abandoned by his mother and raised by zookeepers is one of those stories that reminds you how much social bonds matter across all species.’ Others responded with pure emotion, posting: ‘Poor baby! I will cuddle you!!’
As Punch continues to grow and settle into life with other macaques, his bond with the stuffed orangutan has become a powerful reminder of how deeply animals, like humans, seek comfort, safety, and connection.
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