Viral Baby Macaque ‘Punch’ Draws Global Attention at Ichikawa City Zoo

Baby Monkey at Ichikawa City Zoo Becomes Global Focus

A six-month-old macaque named Punch is currently living at the Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan and has become the subject of viral attention worldwide. The zoo published Punch’s life story and photographs on its official X account and asked visitors to “Please watch over Punch’s growth with warm support.”

Punch, also referred to as Punch-kun in Japanese, was rejected by his mother at birth. During his first few months of life, he did not successfully bond with other monkeys in his enclosure at the Ichikawa City Zoo. In that period, his only regular companionship came from his human keepers and a stuffed orangutan toy.

Viral Footage and Public Reaction

After the zoo shared his story, images and videos of Punch spread widely online. Footage included clips of Punch cuddling his plush toy and carrying it around his enclosure, as well as a clip showing another monkey pushing Punch away. Images of Punch, including those showing him looking at the sky or handling his stuffed toy, were widely shared and turned into reaction memes.

The viral circulation of these images and clips prompted extensive online attention. In response to Punch’s situation, people around the world expressed interest in his welfare, and there were widespread adoption requests and calls for the zoo to provide him with a compatible monkey companion.

Support From Brand and Zoo Updates

IKEA Japan, which manufactured Punch’s favorite stuffed toy, responded after the images went viral. The company sent the Ichikawa City Zoo several additional plush toys of the same type. This action provided Punch with more stuffed toys and also aligned with the product’s growing visibility linked to the monkey’s popularity.

As Punch’s story continued to circulate globally, the zoo released further updates about his condition. The Ichikawa City Zoo shared videos showing Punch hugging another monkey and receiving what was described as his first positive interaction of this kind. These updates were presented as signs that Punch was beginning to form relationships with other monkeys in his enclosure.

Increase in Visitors to See Punch

The Ichikawa City Zoo reported an unexpected rise in visitors coming specifically to see Punch following the viral spread of his images and story. The zoo also shared photos showing people waiting in line to view the young macaque. Punch’s circumstances at the Ichikawa City Zoo, together with the online reaction and subsequent in-person interest, have made him a focal point for visitors and social media users alike.