IKEA gifts more toys to viral baby monkey Punch after winning hearts online

At Ichikawa City Zoo, the tiny macaque Punch has become an unlikely global sensation after videos showed him clinging to a plush orangutan for comfort following his mother’s rejection at birth.

Born in July 2025 and hand-raised by caretakers, Punch initially struggled to integrate with other monkeys and was often pushed away when trying to socialize, making the stuffed toy a source of emotional security as he navigated life without a maternal figure.

The viral attention quickly reached IKEA, whose popular DJUNGELSKOG orangutan plush had become Punch’s surrogate “mother”, affectionately dubbed “oran-mama” by fans online.

In response, IKEA Japan’s president visited the zoo on February 17 with a generous donation of multiple replacement plushies and additional soft toys, ensuring Punch would always have his comforting companion close by. The city’s mayor praised the gesture, noting that the young monkey has become “so beloved” that people now cheer him on as he grows and adapts.

According to zoo officials, the toys are meant to help ease Punch’s anxiety and support his gradual integration into the troop. Caretakers say the soft orangutan was chosen specifically for its long hair and monkey-like shape, helping mimic the comfort he would normally receive from clinging to his mother.

Visitors have since flocked to see Punch, whose story has sparked widespread empathy and even boosted demand for the plush toy worldwide.

Encouragingly, recent updates show Punch beginning to bond with other monkeys, including an adult macaque that has started grooming him, a key sign of social acceptance. Zoo staff remain hopeful that, with time, companionship, and a little help from his growing pile of plush "friends", Punch will continue settling into his troop and building a new sense of family.