21/02/2026
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In February 2026, a baby Japanese macaque named Punch-kun became a global internet sensation at the Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan after videos of him clinging to a stuffed toy went viral.
The Story of Punch-kun
Abandonment: Born in July 2025, Punch was rejected by his mother shortly after birth.
The Surrogate: To provide the emotional comfort and tactile warmth he missed, zookeepers gave him a plush orangutan from IKEA (affectionately called "Ora-mama" by fans).
Viral Fame: Clips of the tiny monkey dragging the oversized toy, hugging it while sleeping, and using it as a "shield" when feeling bullied by other monkeys touched millions.
Impact: The story was so popular that it caused the specific IKEA plush toy to sell out and led to massive crowds at the zoo.
Internet's favourite monkey Punch made an IKEA plush toy go ...
Heartwarming Story of Monkey Rescued at Ichikawa Zoo | TikTok
Recent Updates
While early footage showed Punch struggling to fit in with the other macaques, recent reports from late February 2026 offer a hopeful turn:
Social Milestones: He has begun socialising with the troop, with videos showing him being groomed an
