Ichikawa, en.SERU.co.id – Ichikawa City Zoo has confirmed that Punch, the six-month-old orphaned Japanese macaque, is in good condition. The young monkey, who is always seen carrying his stuffed orangutan doll, is currently undergoing social learning (socialization) processes. Zoo staff emphasize that these interactions are efforts to integrate Punch into the group of other Japanese macaques.
A viral video shows Punch being dragged by another monkey. He runs away, then returns to a corner of the enclosure and tightly hugs his doll. For many netizens, the scene was heartbreaking. However, for the zoo keepers, Punch is simply learning to become part of his group.
“The behavior in the video is not violence. It is a form of normal social discipline common in Japanese macaque communities. Punch is still very young, and such interactions are part of his social learning,” explained Ichikawa City Zoo keeper Kosuke Shikano, quoted from Gulf News on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
Punch was born on July 26, 2025, weighing only 500 grams. He was rejected by his first-time mother. Without his mother’s body to cling to, Punch had to be hand-raised by zoo staff. Since January 19, he has been gradually introduced to the other monkey group.
To replace his mother’s warmth, caretakers provided him with various items. Towels and soft toys didn’t last long. Punch eventually chose a big-eyed orangutan plush from IKEA. Its long fur and easy-to-grip shape gave the sensation of a real monkey. Since then, the doll has been his constant companion—Punch hugs it while sleeping and drags it everywhere.
Punch’s story has spread widely on social media. Photos and videos of him with the doll have drawn many visitors to the zoo, who cheer him on to keep going.
IKEA Japan’s CEO, President, and Head of Sustainability, Petra Fare, visited Punch at the zoo. The Swedish furniture company donated several additional soft toys, including more identical orange orangutan dolls and others to keep Punch company.
In the latest videos, zoo keepers are seeing signs of progress. Punch playfully nudges other monkeys, gets scolded, and tries again. An adult monkey has even been seen grooming him—a key sign of trust-building in the primate world.
“Even when scolded, Punch recovers quickly. His mental resilience is strong. Punch leaves his toy and approaches the other monkeys in the enclosure. They are finally accepting him,” concluded another keeper, Miyakoshi Shunpei.
