Viral story of baby monkey rejected by its mother

 Viral story of baby monkey rejected by its mother

The heartwarming story of a young Japanese macaque (a species of monkey) at the Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Garden in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, has touched the hearts of millions of people around the world. The relationship between the seven-month-old baby monkey named 'Punch' and his 'stuffed' orangutan has created a new wave on the internet.

According to The Japan Times, the scene of the little creature seeking its mother's affection in an inanimate toy after being rejected by its own mother is one that has garnered sympathy worldwide.

Birth and mother's abandonment

Punch was born in July 2025 inside the zoo. But shortly after birth, his own biological mother abandoned him. Experts have identified a few possible reasons behind this. First, Panch's mother was a first-time mother, which is why she lacked experience.

Another major reason was the extreme heatwave in Japan at the time. Primatologist Alison Behe ​​told The Guardian that heat stress can sometimes cause mothers to abandon vulnerable or vulnerable babies to protect their health and future reproductive potential.

In an interview with Australia’s ABC News, animal behaviorist Carla Litchfield said that these monkeys, known as ‘snow monkeys’, naturally prefer to live in cool environments. But being born in temperatures of more than 30 degrees Celsius meant that Panch’s mother was physically and mentally stressed. She was unable to breastfeed or care for her baby.

How did the toy become a support?

After her mother abandoned Panch, zoo staff began to foster her to save her life. Japanese macaque babies cling tightly to their mothers’ bodies as soon as they are born. This helps build their muscle strength. But Panch had nothing to hold on to. Zookeeper Kosuke Shikano and his team initially gave Punch towels wrapped in different shapes to hold. But they were ineffective.

Finally, they gave Punch a soft toy that looked like an orangutan from IKEA's Djungelskog collection. Punch immediately grabbed it and accepted it as his 'surrogate' or alternative mother. Fans have dubbed the toy 'Ora-Mama'. The toy not only gave Punch a sense of security, but also protected him from loneliness.

Internet sensation

In February 2026, Punch became an overnight 'Internet celebrity' after videos of him went viral on social media. The sight of Punch dragging his toy and hugging it to hide when other monkeys teased him won people's hearts. In February alone, his videos have been viewed millions of times.

People around the world have come to see Punch’s struggle as a symbol of resilience. Hashtags like #GanbarePunch and #HangInTherePunch have trended on social media. Major media outlets like BBC News, The New York Times and Forbes have also featured his story.

The zoo’s challenge

Punch’s story is as touching as it is challenging. The zoo is slowly trying to reintroduce Punch to his own species. In some videos, the older apes can be seen dragging or beating him.

While the footage has left fans worried, the zoo has issued a statement saying that this is normal social behavior for the apes.

As The Guardian reports, there is a strict hierarchy in apes’ society. Punch must learn to defend himself and accept the authority of others. The zoo said, “Punch shows mental toughness when he is scolded or beaten. We want people to support his efforts rather than pity him.”

There have been some positive signs recently. Punch has started grooming other monkeys, which is an important way for monkeys to bond. In one video, another monkey even hugs Punch, which is being described as a big success.

IKEA branding

Punch’s popularity has also had a big impact on the commercial sector. The $20 IKEA orangutan toy he used to carry is now ‘out of stock’ worldwide. According to a report by USA Today, the toy has been in such high demand in Japan, the US and South Korea that its price on reseller sites like eBay has risen to over $350.

On February 17, IKEA Japan President Petra Fair visited Ichikawa Zoo and presented a number of new toys to Punch. Ichikawa Mayor Ko Tanaka expressed his gratitude for the donation. IKEA supported Punch on social media, writing, "Sometimes family is the people we meet along the way."

Experts' concerns

While Punch's story has raised awareness about animals, some experts have also expressed concerns. Speaking to ABC News Australia, Carla Litchfield warned that videos of cute baby monkeys like Punch could be fueling the illegal wildlife trade. "People may think it's easy to keep monkeys, but these social. "They are animals and need their own group. After four years, Panch will grow into a large and powerful monkey, which will be impossible to keep at home."

Meanwhile, security measures have been tightened at the zoo to control the crowds of people coming to see Panch. According to The Japan Times, the zoo has asked visitors to remain calm, not to use tripods when taking pictures, and not to linger around the cage for too long.