Japanese macaque baby Punch with an IKEA stuffed toy on the left, and on the right after 7 months, taking it with him everywhere.
A report from Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan tells the extraordinary story of a baby Japanese macaque named Punch, who has become a sensation due to his close bond with a stuffed orangutan toy.
Punch’s mother died when he was born seven months ago, leaving the zookeepers with a challenge. Baby macaques instinctively need to cling to their mothers to build muscle and feel secure, which prompted the search for an alternative to prevent a decline in his physical and mental health.
After numerous trials involving rolled-up towels and various other stuffed toys, the keepers settled on an orange orangutan toy from IKEA, chosen for its long fur that mimics a mother’s texture and its limbs that are easy to grip.
Early Orphanhood
Since then, Punch is rarely seen without his stuffed friend, dragging the toy, which is larger than him, around his enclosure. This touching scene has spread across social media, attracting thousands of visitors sympathetic to his story and his resilience in the face of early orphanhood.
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Despite this strong attachment, a keeper notes that Punch is making noticeable progress in interacting with the rest of his troop, considering the minor scuffles that occur between him and the other monkeys a natural part of the learning and integration process.
As he continues to grow and gain confidence, experts at the zoo expect that a day will come when Punch will no longer need his toy, returning as an active and independent member of the Japanese macaque community.
