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Baby Macaque Punch Wins Hearts, Stuffed Toys Sell Out!

2/28/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Punch is a baby macaque at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan who bonds with a stuffed orangutan.
Abandoned at birth, Punch was raised by zoo staff.
Punch has become a beloved figure, drawing over 5,000 visitors in a day.
IKEA donated more stuffed orangutans to support Punch.
As of February 25, the stuffed toy is sold out online.

History

Historical Context

Ichikawa City Zoo opened in 1979 to promote wildlife conservation and has since attracted millions of visitors, averaging over 5,000 daily. The recent viral fame of Punch, a baby macaque raised by staff, underscores the emotional bonds between humans and animals, reflecting a broader trend in zoos to enhance public engagement and support for animal welfare initiatives, including donations from organizations like IKEA.

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Story summary

Punch is a baby macaque at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan who bonds with a stuffed orangutan.
Abandoned at birth, Punch was raised by zoo staff.
Punch has become a beloved figure, drawing over 5,000 visitors in a day.
IKEA donated more stuffed orangutans to support Punch.
As of February 25, the stuffed toy is sold out online.

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