Baby Monkey Rejected By His Mother Finds Comfort In A Stuffed Animal
Infant animals separated from their mothers face challenges that go beyond simple survival. They lose the physical contact essential for development, the warmth that regulates their body temperature, and the psychological security that comes from having a parent nearby.
For primates especially, that connection matters deeply. Baby monkeys instinctively cling to their mothers from the moment they're born, building strength and finding comfort in that constant contact.
When a baby macaque named Punch was rejected by his mother shortly after birth at Japan's Ichikawa City Zoo, keepers faced the challenge of not just keeping him alive, but providing some substitute for the maternal bond he'd been denied.
They hand-fed him, kept him warm, and offered various soft objects he could cling to the way he would have gripped his mother's fur. Among towels and different toys, Punch chose one particular item: a stuffed orangutan that became his constant companion.
Videos of the six-month-old carrying his plush surrogate around the enclosure have gone viral, accumulating millions of views as people watch him sleep with it, clutch it while eating, and drag it everywhere he goes.
The images are simultaneously adorable and heartbreaking. It's a visible reminder of what he's missing and how he's adapted to cope with that absence.
Check out the full details below...
Punch was abandoned by his mother at birth. But it didn't take long for him to find succor in the arms of something unexpected
The baby primate was born in July 2025. His keepers, Kosuke Shikano and Shumpei Miyakoshi, have raised and looked after him since he was abandoned by his mother shortly after birth. Thankfully, it didn't take long for him to find succor in the arms of a stuffed Orangutan.
The tiny macaque grips his toy companion tightly
"Since Punch was [born] healthy, we temporarily separated him from the troop and began hand-feeding him with milk," Shikano said.
Infant monkeys instinctively cling to their mothers from birth, both for comfort and to build muscle, so zookeepers gave the baby towels and soft toys as substitutes.
Of all the options, Punch chose the orangutan stuffed toy. "The stuffed animal's fur made it easy to grab, and its appearance is also similar to a monkey, which likely provided a sense of security," Shikano added. "The stuffed animal was a surrogate mother."
Punch naps with his oversized plush toy and drags it throughout his enclosure
"The poor little baby deserves the whole world," one commenter wrote
The circumstances that led to Punch's abandonment aren't uncommon in primate populations. The zookeeper explained that parental abandonment by monkeys can occur under certain circumstances.
"The burden of her [Punch's mother] first birth may have been a factor," Shikano suggested. "In the monkey mountain troop, other mother monkeys sometimes take on childcare, so we observed from a distance on the day of birth, but there were no such signs."
Watch how the zookeepers interact with Punch
Zookeepers hand-raised Punch after his mother showed no interest in caring for him
Long lines formed outside the zoo as Punch's story went viral
Despite his difficult start, Punch has shown remarkable resilience. "He's actively engaging with other monkeys, and I can feel he's growing up," explained Miyakoshi. "Even when scolded by other monkeys, he quickly recovers. He's mentally strong," Shikano noted.
The Ichikawa City Zoo, located east of Tokyo, introduced the monkey to the world on X, writing, "Currently, there is a young monkey carrying a stuffed toy in the monkey mountain enclosure."
Punch's viral story brought unprecedented crowds to the Japanese zoo
The image of Punch clutching the orangutan stuffed animal as a surrogate mother resonated with many netizens, leading to the creation of a Japanese hashtag translated as "#HangInTherePunch," local media reported.
"Poor baby, I will cuddle you!" one person wrote. "Baby monkey just misses his mother. Nature is always cruel," shared another. "Poor little soul… glad he found something to comfort him," a third commented.
This looks cute, but it's actually not cute for the monkey...he needs a foster mom ASAP," one commenter noted.
A mother macaque carries her infant through the trees
According to The Mainichi, Punch was born on July 26, 2025, weighing 500 grams (about 17.6 ounces). His mother, exhausted from her first birth in the heat of summer, showed no signs of caring for him.
Takashi Yasunaga, head of the Ichikawa Municipal Government's zoo, reported that visitor numbers at the zoo have increased since Punch's story went viral, similar to what happened to Moo Deng, the famous baby pygmy hippo in Thailand.
Zookeepers slowly introduced Punch to a small group of macaques who were beginning to accept him
"Photo of the year," declared one emotional viewer
An adult macaque interacts with Punch as he continues holding his beloved stuffed animal
"I don't know why it took so long for another adult monkey to accept him," one person questioned
"We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who visited us today," the zoo stated on Sunday (February 15). "All of our staff were surprised by the unexpected turnout, something we have never experienced before."
"Seeing the little monkey drag his stuffed animal around is cute but very sad at the same time," one visitor observed
An adult female macaque plays with Punch, who nestles under her arm
"These images and videos are enough to make a grown man cry," someone shared
One visitor wrote, "We visited the zoo today! There wasn't much of a line when we entered, but there was a huge line when we left. People were there to see Punch!"
"It is cute to see the little monkey dragging the stuffed animal around, but it is very sad at the same time," another visitor said.
Punch drags his trusted companion as he explores. The zoo says he's "gradually deepening his interactions" with other primates
"I keep this in my camera roll. It's my favorite image ever," one fan admitted
Watch Punch play affectionately with his stuffed orangutan
"Interference is exactly what this baby needs..."
"I've been liking and watching every post of him I see today..."
"Poor baby monkey. He just misses his mother."
"I'm not crying..."
"I want to hug this baby...'
"Just give him to me, please..."
Punch's story highlights both the fragility and resilience of infant animals. While his attachment to the stuffed orangutan is undeniably touching, it also serves as a visible reminder of what he lost when his mother couldn't care for him.
The good news is that he's gradually integrating with the troop and forming bonds with other macaques who are stepping in where his biological mother couldn't.
The stuffed animal that saved him emotionally may eventually become less central as real relationships develop, but for now, it remains his security blanket in a world that started out far more difficult than it should have been.
How do you feel about Punch's story? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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