Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child; A Long Way From Home 🏚

He Held On Tight — And the World Held On With Him: The Heartwarming Story of Punch the Monkey

If you haven't yet heard about Punch, the tiny Japanese macaque at Japan's Ichikawa City Zoo who captured the entire internet's heart, prepare yourself — because this story is going to absolutely make your day!

Born on July 26, 2025, little Punch came into the world weighing just 500 grams — barely more than a pound. His first-time mother, unfortunately, had no interest in raising him, and within a day of his birth, Punch was on his own. Dedicated zookeepers Kosuke Shikano and Shumpei Miyakoshi stepped in immediately, bottle-feeding the tiny baby and providing round-the-clock care. They named him Panchi-kun — Punch, in English — after a beloved Japanese manga artist, and they poured every bit of love into helping him thrive.

But love from humans, as wonderful as it is, couldn't fully replace what Punch truly needed: a troop of his own. When Punch was finally introduced to the zoo's Monkey Mountain — home to around 60 Japanese macaques — in January 2026, things didn't go quite as hoped. The other monkeys ignored him, scolded him, and left him on the sidelines. Without a mother to teach him the social rules of monkey life, poor Punch just didn't know how to fit in.

And so Punch did what any of us might do in a moment of loneliness — he found comfort in a friend. That friend just happened to be an IKEA stuffed orangutan plushie.

Oh, my goodness — the videos! Punch clutching his little orange toy with both arms. Punch is dragging it proudly across the enclosure. Punch curled up asleep with his fuzzy companion tucked close. The world took one look and hearts crumbled. The hashtag #HangInTherePunch exploded across social media, with fans from Japan to the United States rallying behind their favorite tiny survivor. Millions of views. Millions of tears. Millions of hearts absolutely stolen by one scrappy little monkey who refused to give up.

IKEA itself joined the love fest, donating 33 stuffed toys to the zoo and posting a photo of the orangutan plush captioned: "Sometimes, family is who we find along the way." Cue the waterworks!

And — oh, now comes the part that makes it all worth it!

Punch is finding his people. His monkeys. Recent footage from the zoo shows him being groomed by another macaque — which, in monkey society, is the ultimate sign of friendship and trust. He's been spotted playfully poking younger monkeys, climbing on their backs, and exploring the enclosure with a newfound confidence. His zookeeper Miyakoshi couldn't be prouder: "Even when scolded, he recovers quickly. He's mentally strong and steadily learning how to socialize."

Punch still carries his beloved plushie — fans have even given it the sweet nickname Oran-Mama — but increasingly, he's stepping away from it to engage with his troop. And when things get a little overwhelming, he scurries back for a quick cuddle before heading out to try again. Is that not the most relatable thing you've ever heard?

Huge lines of visitors now wrap around the Ichikawa City Zoo — unprecedented crowds coming just to cheer on one determined little monkey in person. The zoo has even had to apologize for entry delays!

Punch's story reminds us that belonging takes time. That resilience is a superpower. And that sometimes, when the whole world feels cold and unwelcoming, the bravest thing you can do is hold tight to what comforts you — and keep trying anyway.

We are ALL rooting for you, Punch. 🐒🧡