This is the heart-melting moment a baby monkey abandoned by his mother cuddled up to a soft toy, carrying it everywhere as a substitute parent.
Punch, a six-month-old macaque at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan, has become an unlikely internet sensation after video clips showed him clinging tightly to a stuffed orangutan for comfort.
The tiny primate was born in July 2025 but was rejected by his mother shortly after birth, according to reports.
Keepers stepped in and hand-raised him, feeding and caring for him while closely monitoring his development.
Because infant monkeys instinctively cling to their mothers from birth, staff offered Punch blankets and soft toys to ease his anxiety.
He quickly chose the plush orangutan and has barely let go since.
Footage shared widely on X shows the youngster hugging the toy as he sleeps, wrapping his arms around it and burying his face into the fabric.
In other clips, he can be seen clutching it protectively while cautiously approaching other young macaques.
This is the heart-melting moment a baby monkey abandoned by his mother cuddled up to a soft toy, carrying it everywhere as a substitute parent
Punch, a six-month-old macaque at Ichikawa City Zoo, has become an unlikely internet sensation after clips showed him clinging tightly to a stuffed orangutan for comfort
The tiny primate was born in July 2025 but was rejected by his mother shortly after birth, according to reports.
Because infant monkeys instinctively cling to their mothers from birth, staff offered Punch blankets and soft toys to ease his anxiety. He quickly chose the plush orangutan and has barely let go since
One social media account claimed he even uses the toy as a shield when other monkeys ‘scold’ him during play.
In mid-January, zookeepers carefully introduced Punch to a small group of macaques.
While he has started interacting with them, he continues to keep his stuffed companion close as he adjusts to life in the troop.
The videos have sparked an outpouring of emotion online.
‘It’s as if he’s found the safest, warmest place in the world,’ one user wrote.
Another added: ‘A baby monkey abandoned by his mother and raised by zookeepers is one of those stories that reminds you how much social bonds matter across all species.’
Others posted: ‘Poor baby! I will cuddle you!!’