From plushie to partner: Punch the macaque finds love in Momo-chan at Ichikawa Zoo

At the Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan, a tiny macaque named Punch has captured hearts worldwide—not for swinging from trees or stealing snacks, but for his unusual journey from abandoned infant to social media star.

Born in July 2025, Punch faced a rocky start in life when his mother rejected him at birth. Zoo caretakers stepped in, hand-raising the little macaque, says the New York Post.

To help him through lonely nights, they gave him an IKEA DJUNGELSKOG stuffed orangutan—a surrogate mother that soon became his constant companion. Videos of Punch clutching his plushie, sometimes more tenderly than a toddler with a blankie, quickly went viral.

But life in the monkey enclosure wasn't as soft and squishy as his toy. Punch had to navigate the rigid social rules of the troop, described by zoo officials as a "strict hierarchical society." 

Early footage shows him being pushed aside and scolded by dominant members, leaving fans anxious for his wellbeing. Yet according to the zoo, these interactions were necessary lessons, not cruelty.

Then came Momo-chan, a female macaque who may just be the key to Punch's social success. The pair have been spotted kissing, cuddling, and playing together—earning Momo-chan the affectionate title of Punch's "girlfriend" among followers. 

Observers even noticed she shares a similar color with Punch's beloved stuffed orangutan, adding a touch of poetic symmetry to their story. Occasionally, the plushie itself makes a cameo in their playtime adventures, a quiet witness to Punch's growing confidence.

Director Shigekazu Mizushina says Punch is showing encouraging signs of independence, gradually clinging less to his stuffed companion as he integrates into the troop. 

This evolution from plushie-dependent infant to socially adept macaque has inspired both the public and even IKEA Japan, whose president visited the zoo in February 2026 to donate fresh DJUNGELSKOG toys for Punch and his monkey friends.

Punch's story is more than viral fluff—it's a tale of resilience, growth, and the unexpected ways animals (and humans) find comfort and friendship. 

From a clinging cub with a plushie sidekick to a macaque confidently playing alongside Momo-chan, Punch proves that even in a "strict hierarchical society," there's always room for love, laughter, and maybe a little IKEA magic.