Whenever a new animal captures the internet’s heart, we simply can’t look away. Lately, all eyes (and endless double-taps) have been on Punch, the adorable baby monkey from Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan. Clips of him clutching his beloved stuffed orangutan have been sweeping across social media, melting hearts around the world. And joining the herd, we’re also swooning over this viral baby monkey.
Meet Punch, the viral baby monkey with a heart-wrenching story
Punch was born in July 2025, but was abandoned by his mother shortly after birth. Zookeepers then stepped in to take matters into their own hands and raise the tiny macaque themselves. In the wild, infant monkeys typically cling to their mothers from the very beginning. For Punch, soft blankets and stuffed toys have taken on that role, offering warmth and comfort to ease his anxiety. Among them, he chose one steadfast companion. A stuffed orangutan he now clings to while sleeping and throughout the day.
Videos circulating online show Punch wrapping himself around his stuffed orangutan (easily bigger than he is) as he drifts off into a peaceful slumber. And honestly, we’re just glad this isn’t an AI-generated moment. See the adorable footage for yourself below:
In mid-January, Punch was successfully introduced to a group of macaques at the zoo. While he has begun interacting with them, he continues to stay close to his stuffed companion as he adjusts.
Of course, this isn’t the first time a zoo animal has surfaced the internet and stolen plenty of hearts. And when facing tough times, a heartwarming video is often just what we need as a pick-me-up.
(Featured and Hero image credit: @igtvcheaters/Instagram)
Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.