Punch, a baby Japanese macaque abandoned by his mother shortly after birth, has become a viral attraction at Ichikawa City Zoo near Tokyo after forming an attachment to a stuffed orangutan given to him by zookeepers for comfort. Raised in an artificial environment, Punch has been gradually learning to socialise with other monkeys while clutching the toy, which he drags around the enclosure.
After videos of Punch circulated widely online, including a clip showing him being dragged by a larger monkey before retreating to his stuffed companion, Tristan Tate, brother of controversial influencer Andrew Tate, posted on X: “Which Zoo owns this monkey. Andrew Tate and I will buy it. 250,000 dollars. I am NOT joking.”
The post drew sharp reactions. One user replied, “The last thing any zoo should do is sell a monkey to you so you can monetize it.” Another wrote, “If you really care, fund the sanctuary — don’t try to own the animal. Protection > possession.”
Japanese baby macaques typically cling to their mothers to build muscle strength and gain a sense of security. Without that bond, Punch needed an alternative.
Keepers tried rolled-up towels and several stuffed animals before he took to an orange, long-haired orangutan toy sold by IKEA.
“This stuffed animal has relatively long hair and several easy places to hold," zookeeper Kosuke Shikano told Reuters. "We thought that its resemblance to a monkey might help Punch integrate back into the troop later on, and that’s why we chose it."
Punch has rarely been seen without the toy since, dragging it around the enclosure even though it is larger than him. Images and videos of the pair have circulated widely on social media, prompting a surge in visitors.
AFP reported that more than 100 people gathered at the enclosure on Friday, some shouting “hang in there!” as Punch attempted to interact with other monkeys. The hashtag #HangInTherePunch has gained traction online.
Some fans expressed concern after a video showed an adult monkey dragging Punch. The zoo responded in a statement cited by AFP, urging the public to “support Punch's efforts” as he learns to socialise.
"While Punch is scolded (by other monkeys), he shows mental strength and resilience," the statement said.
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