Ichikawa, Japan. A baby Japanese macaque named Punch at Ichikawa City Zoo has become a popular attraction after forming a constant bond with a stuffed orangutan companion. Zookeepers introduced the toy after Punch was abandoned by his mother shortly after birth.
Abandonment and keeper intervention
Punch was born seven months ago at the zoo outside Tokyo, and his mother abandoned him, prompting an onlooker to alert zookeepers. Zookeeper Kosuke Shikano said baby macaques typically cling to their mothers for security and to build muscle strength, making swift intervention necessary.
Choosing a substitute companion
Keepers tried rolled-up towels and other stuffed animals before selecting an orange, bug-eyed orangutan sold by Swedish furniture brand IKEA. Shikano said the toy’s long hair and easy grip points made it suitable, and that its resemblance to a monkey could help Punch reintegrate with the troop later.
Public response and social media attention
Punch has rarely been seen without the toy, dragging it around despite it being larger than him. Videos of the pair went viral, drawing visitors to the zoo, including 26-year-old nurse Miyu Igarashi, who said seeing Punch on social media moved her to visit.
Integration with the troop
Shikano said he believes Punch’s mother abandoned him due to extreme heat in July when she gave birth. Zookeepers said Punch has had some differences with other monkeys as he tries to communicate, but described this as part of the learning process and said he is steadily integrating, with Shikano saying he expects a day when Punch no longer needs the stuffed toy.
Would you visit Ichikawa City Zoo to see Punch and his stuffed orangutan companion?