At a zoo outside Tokyo, an abandoned baby monkey has found comfort in an unexpected place — a plush toy that now rarely leaves his side. The sight has turned a quiet monkey enclosure into a popular attraction, drawing visitors touched by the young animal’s struggle and recovery.
The baby Japanese macaque, named Punch, was abandoned by his mother shortly after birth seven months ago at Ichikawa City Zoo. A visitor noticed the newborn alone in the enclosure and alerted zoo staff. Keepers moved quickly, aware that infant macaques are highly vulnerable without maternal care.
Why maternal contact is critical for young macaques
In the wild, baby Japanese macaques cling to their mothers almost constantly. The contact helps them build muscle strength and coordination. It also provides warmth, protection, and emotional security. Without this bond, young macaques often struggle to survive.
The most painful thing I’ve seen in these days is the story of
Punch monkey doll 💔The little monkey “Punch,” a Japanese macaque, was born in July 2025 at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan. However, his mother abandoned him immediately after birth, leaving him alone without any care… pic.twitter.com/4JPuObkRL4
— ❥. (@hellolalit) February 20, 2026
Zookeeper Kosuke Shikano said the situation required urgent intervention. Staff first focused on stabilizing Punch and keeping him calm. They then searched for a way to replace the physical comfort he had lost.
Keepers search for a substitute that works
Zookeepers experimented with several options, including rolled towels and different stuffed toys. None held Punch’s attention. The breakthrough came with an orange, wide-eyed stuffed orangutan.
Shikano said the choice was deliberate. The plush toy has long hair and multiple areas that are easy for a baby macaque to grip. Its shape also resembles a small primate, which keepers believe could support Punch’s emotional development and ease future social interactions.
A constant companion inside the enclosure
Punch bonded with the stuffed orangutan almost immediately. Since then, he has rarely been seen without it. He drags it across the enclosure and clutches it tightly, even though it is larger than he is. For zoo staff, the toy serves as a temporary replacement for maternal contact during a critical stage of development.
The story of Punch-kun, known as Punch, the baby monkey, who was rejected by his mother.
Punch, is a seven-month-old baby macaque monkey who inhabits the Ichikawa Zoo in Japan.
Born in July 2025, Punch had to swallow a harsh reality when his birth mother refused and abandoned… pic.twitter.com/DNS2LV5B7F— 👉M-Û-R-Č-H👈 (@TheEXECUTlONER_) February 19, 2026
Social media attention draws visitors
Videos of the abandoned baby monkey and his plush companion quickly spread online. The clips went viral, drawing new visitors to the zoo. Many said the story resonated because it showed vulnerability and resilience in a simple, visible way.
One visitor, 26-year-old nurse Miyu Igarashi, said she felt compelled to visit after seeing Punch on social media. She said watching a baby monkey abandoned by its parents, but still trying to cope emotionally, left a lasting impression. When she later met a friend, she suggested a trip to the zoo to see Punch in person.
Heat and early challenges with socialization
Shikano believes extreme summer heat may have contributed to the abandonment. Punch was born during an intense heat wave in July, conditions that can place significant stress on animals that have just given birth.
An abandoned baby monkey at a zoo near Tokyo has found comfort in an unlikely companion, a plush toy he refuses to let go of.
Born during extreme summer heat, the young Japanese macaque was left by his mother. Keepers stepped in, and a soft toy helped replace the comfort he lost. pic.twitter.com/gg5zTIwyxO— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) February 20, 2026
Punch has also faced challenges interacting with other monkeys. Keepers say he sometimes struggles to read social cues and communicate. They describe this as a normal part of development for an infant raised without maternal guidance.
Gradual progress toward independence
Despite those difficulties, the staff says Punch is making steady progress. He is slowly integrating with the troop and showing growing confidence around other macaques.
Shikano said the plush toy may not always be necessary. He expects that as Punch matures and becomes more socially secure, he will rely less on the object that once replaced his mother. For now, the stuffed toy remains a symbol of early care — and a reminder of how small interventions can help vulnerable animals survive.
