Six months after Punch the monkey melted hearts by clinging to a plush toy after being rejected by his troop, zookeepers shared an emotional update that left fans in tears once again
Punch the monkey went viral as heartbreaking photos showed him clinging to a plush toy after being abandoned by his mum and rejected by the other monkeys at the zoo. The tiny primate, who lives at Ichikawa City Zoo, was given a soft toy by his keepers to comfort him after his mother abandoned him shortly after birth.
When Punch was eventually introduced to the rest of the troop, things didn’t get any easier. The other monkeys refused to accept him, leaving the animal sitting alone with his cuddly companion, which he was even seen using as a shield for comfort. The heartbreaking images quickly spread across social media, with thousands of people rooting for the lonely youngster to find his place.
Now, six months on, the zoo shared an emotional update – and it has reduced fans to tears all over again.
Rather than letting his difficult start shape the monkey he would become, Punch has grown into one of the troop’s kindest members.
According to his keepers, he took it upon himself to care for younger monkeys who are struggling to fit in, offering them the comfort and friendship he once longed for himself.
Videos shared by the zoo show Punch gently cuddling baby monkeys, grooming their fur and rushing over to welcome every new arrival.
He’s also fiercely protective of the youngsters.
On one occasion, after spotting a crow eyeing one of the babies, Punch refused to leave the monkey’s side until the bird eventually flew away.
His bond with the younger monkeys has become so strong they now seek him out as soon as they wake up, treating him like a protective older brother.
The touching update has melted hearts online, with many praising the monkey for breaking the cycle after everything he endured, with some saying: “Punch became what he once needed.”
Commenting on the video, one user said: “Enough to make a grown man cry.” Another user added: “The cycle of hate ends with me.”
A third user said: “This is just the sweetest darn thing I’ve seen in a long time. Breaking the cycle of violence. What a sweet guy.”
One user added: “Punch raising another generation to be the Punch.”