Jakarta. Punch, the baby macaque whose bond with a stuffed toy made him a viral sensation in Japan, is slowly adjusting to life with his troop, even as recent videos of rough interactions have raised concern among fans.

Footage circulating on Feb. 19 showed Punch being dragged by another monkey, prompting concern online. In response, officials at Ichikawa City Zoological and Botanical Gardens urged the public to focus on the young macaque’s resilience rather than pity.

“Punch shows mental strength,” the zoo said in a statement. “We ask people to support his efforts as he grows.”

Punch’s story has captivated the public since early February, when photos of the infant macaque clinging to a stuffed orangutan began spreading widely on X. The images were first shared by a visitor and later reposted by the zoo on Feb. 5, triggering an outpouring of support under the hashtag “You can do it, Punch.”

The attention pushed the zoo into the spotlight, drawing more than 8,000 visitors in a short period — the highest turnout in its 40-year history — with Punch becoming its unexpected star attraction.

Born on July 26, 2025, Punch was abandoned shortly after birth when his mother, exhausted during Japan’s peak summer heat, failed to nurse or care for him — a behavior zookeepers say occasionally occurs among monkeys. Instead of raising him in an incubator, staff chose to keep Punch near the macaque troop so he could acclimate to their scent and calls, increasing his chances of eventual reintegration.

Lacking a mother to cling to, Punch gravitated toward a stuffed orangutan after rejecting rolled towels and other toys offered by zookeepers. The plush toy became his primary source of comfort and security, something he still relies on when anxious and even while sleeping.

Zookeepers introduced Punch to the troop gradually, but early encounters were tense. Older monkeys often threatened him, prompting Punch to retreat and clutch the stuffed toy. After weeks of careful monitoring, Punch was fully reintroduced to the troop on Jan. 19.

His story drew corporate attention as well. Furniture retailer IKEA sent 33 stuffed animals to the zoo on Feb. 17 after learning of Punch’s attachment to the toy. Ko Tanaka shared photos of the delivery on his official X account.

While Punch continues to face challenges as he learns social boundaries within the troop, zoo officials say such interactions are part of the natural process.

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