• Punch becomes a social media sensation after his mother abandoned him, clingting to an orangutan doll
• Doll sells out in the US, Japan, and South Korea

A baby macaque named Punch, only seven months old, has captured hearts worldwide after his mother abandoned him, leaving him to adjust to life with his caretakers at Ichikawa City Zoo, near Tokyo. To help him feel secure, zookeepers gave him a plush orangutan doll, which he carries everywhere and clings to whenever he feels stressed or ignored by other monkeys.

Video clips showing Punch hugging his doll during moments of isolation, or cautiously approaching other monkeys, quickly went viral on social media. In some clips, he even appeared to be teased by older monkeys, drawing sympathy from viewers around the world.

Zoo officials confirmed that all these scenes are part of Punch’s natural learning process for social behavior, compensating for the absence of his mother, who would normally teach him these skills. Over time, the little macaque has gradually learned how to interact with the group while returning to his doll for comfort after any stressful encounter. He has even been seen holding onto the legs of zookeepers when entering the enclosure.

The story of Punch and his doll quickly reached beyond the zoo. The manufacturer of the plush orangutan reported a surge in demand, selling out in Japan, the United States, and South Korea. The company has promised to restock the toy as soon as possible.

Animal behavior experts have long known that young primates rely on comfort and tactile reassurance, sometimes as much as they rely on food.

Classic studies in the 1950s and 1960s, including experiments by American psychologist Harry Harlow, showed that baby monkeys preferred soft surrogate mothers that offered warmth and security over wire figures that only provided nourishment. Punch’s attachment to his doll is a modern example of this fundamental emotional need, which is crucial for healthy development.