A seven-month-old macaque named Punch has captured hearts worldwide after forming a touching bond with an orangutan stuffed toy given to him by zookeepers as a surrogate for his mother. Abandoned shortly after birth last July and initially shunned by other monkeys, Punch now spends his days clinging to the plush toy, which fans have affectionately dubbed “Ora-Mama.”
Videos of Punch dragging the plushie around his enclosure quickly went viral, drawing attention not only to the baby monkey but also to IKEA, the Swedish retailer behind the toy. Part of IKEA’s Djungelskog collection and priced at $19.99, the orangutan plushie quickly sold out in stores across the globe, with only a handful remaining in the US, Japan, and the UK. Listings on eBay have even appeared at inflated prices.
Javier Quiñones, global commercial manager for IKEA’s Ingka Group, said the company is working to restock the popular item. “The toy has long been one of our most sought-after across markets, and the story from Japan is now giving it a little extra love,” he told The Washington Post. In Malaysia, IKEA has pledged that part of the proceeds from each sale will support orangutan conservation initiatives.
Punch’s viral fame has also brought a surge of visitors to Ichikawa City Zoo, located about 15 minutes by train from central Tokyo. Daily queues have formed to see “Monkey Mountain,” with the zoo limiting front-row viewing to 10 minutes and banning selfie sticks to reduce stress for Punch and his fellow macaques. Over the weekend, around 9,600 visitors entered the zoo, bringing February’s total attendance to approximately 47,000—more than double the previous year.
Encouragingly, recent footage shows Punch integrating more with his troop, grooming and playing with other monkeys, and gradually becoming more independent by leaving his plush companion for longer periods. Despite his early struggles, Punch’s story has touched a global audience, making him both an internet star and an ambassador for wildlife awareness.
