Baby monkey abandoned by mother at finds new ‘mom’ it won’t let go of

Punch, a six-month-old macaque at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan, has become an unlikely internet sensation after video clips showed him clinging tightly to a stuffed orangutan for comfort, the Daily Mail writes.

The tiny primate was born in July 2025 but was rejected by his mother shortly after birth, according to reports.

Keepers stepped in and hand-raised him, feeding and caring for him while closely monitoring his development.

Because infant monkeys instinctively cling to their mothers from birth, staff offered Punch blankets and soft toys to ease his anxiety. He quickly chose the plush orangutan and has barely let go since.

Footage shared widely on X shows the youngster hugging the toy as he sleeps, wrapping his arms around it and burying his face into the fabric.

In mid-January, zookeepers carefully introduced Punch to a small group of macaques.

While he has started interacting with them, he continues to keep his stuffed companion close as he adjusts to life in the troop.