Punch is a 7-month-old Japanese macaque, or “snow monkey,” who was born at the Ichikawa City Zoo in July 2026. His mother rejected him soon after he was born, so zookeepers gave him an orangutan plushie to cuddle with and function as a surrogate mother.
It is actually very unusual for a mama macaque to abandon her young, but age, health, and inexperience can be factors. Punch was his mother’s first offspring, so she was definitely inexperienced. Punch was also born during a heat wave, and the environmental stress may have contributed to his abandonment.
When the zoo released videos of Punch snuggling with his worn-out orangutan toy and sadly dragging it around, they quickly went viral. Zoo officials say their monthly visitors have more than doubled to see Punch. The toy Punch is holding has sold out in multiple countries.
Videos that show adult macaque monkeys beating him up have racked up millions of views, but the other macaques aren’t actually being “mean” to Punch. According to animal behaviorists, the mother monkeys usually help their children learn the behaviors appropriate to their place in the hierarchy. Without a mother to guide him, Punch is being “taught” by the group. Although it may look like bullying, it is just a normal part of a macaque society to have that sort of aggression as normal social behavior.
More recent videos released by the zoo show Punch making social progress. He has been seen getting groomed by a peer and hanging around with his fellow monkeys. In one video, he hugs an adult monkey and then hops on his back for a ride.
He is becoming more independent, eating on his own and showing more confidence. He is observing and mimicking, and starting to form bonds. He is receiving more hugs and sitting with adults. Everyone is rooting for Punch!
