Monkey business: Baby Japanese macaque Punch's viral triumph at Ichikawa City Zoo

A tiny Japanese macaque named Punch captured hearts worldwide by clutching a plush orangutan toy after his mother shunned him at Ichikawa City Zoo, according to Yahoo.

Born in July last year, Punch faced rejection from his mother and her group soon after arrival. According to Yahoo, zookeepers stepped in with hand-feeding and a soft toy called Ora-mama for comfort. The doll's fur and monkey-like look gave him security, said Kosuke Shikano, one of Punch's keepers, as reported by The Independent.

From plush pal to primate playmate

Videos of Punch dragging Ora-mama everywhere exploded online this month. Memes dubbed him a symbol of resilience, with hashtags like "keep going, Punch" trending globally, The Independent reported.

The story drew crowds to the zoo, much like viral stars Moo Deng, the pygmy hippo, and hefty penguin chick Pesto. According to The Independent, IKEA Japan even donated more stuffed toys after a visit by its president, Petra Fares.

Now comes good news. Punch is bonding with his troop. Caretakers saw another monkey grooming him, The Independent noted—a key sign of trust in primate life.

Punch plays with young monkeys, climbs their backs and gets embraces from elders. Shumpei Miyakoshi, a zoo caretaker, said: "He's actively engaging with other monkeys, and I can feel he's growing up. Even when scolded by other monkeys, he quickly recovers. He's mentally strong,"according to The Independent.

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The zoo posted on X that Punch deepens interactions daily. He gets groomed, pokes at others and learns monkey ways, even after scoldings.

No monkey shows serious aggression toward him. The troop's discipline helps him grow resilient, staff noted. According to The Independent, one Instagram user wrote: "It's hard making friends! Punch is so brave! So proud of him."

Punch's journey from lonely tot with a toy to troop member shows monkey resilience. He still visits Ora-mama briefly but moves on to real bonds. Visitors see a bolder baby macaque, proving hope wins.