An abandoned baby monkey who broke millions of hearts online after being spotted hugging an orangutan stuffed toy given to him as a substitute for his mother has finally found comfort among his own kind — and the internet can’t get enough of the emotional turnaround.
Punch, a young Japanese macaque living at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan, went viral after videos showed him dragging around and cuddling a soft toy that zookeepers had given him. The heartbreaking clips spread rapidly across social media, with millions of viewers reacting emotionally to the sight of the tiny monkey clinging to the plush for reassurance.
The reason behind Punch’s attachment to the toy was soon revealed. After being rejected by his mother shortly after birth, the young macaque struggled during a critical stage of development. Without a maternal figure to rely on, Punch failed to bond with the other monkeys in the enclosure and instead depended on his human carers and the stuffed orangutan for comfort.
For the first few months of his life, Punch was often seen alone, carrying the toy around the enclosure and holding it close while resting. Zookeepers introduced the plush as a calming substitute to help him cope with the absence of his mother, and while it appeared to provide some comfort, many viewers found the scenes difficult to watch.
However, there’s now a much more uplifting update to Punch’s story.
Recent videos shared by the zoo show the young macaque beginning to integrate with the rest of the group. In one touching moment, Punch is seen receiving a hug from another monkey — a huge step forward for an animal that once struggled to connect. In other clips, he can be seen grooming fellow macaques, a behaviour that plays a vital role in social bonding.
Grooming is especially important for Japanese macaques, as it helps establish trust, friendships, and long-term group acceptance. According to experts, Punch’s new behaviour suggests he’s finally finding his place within the troop.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Matt Lovatt, director of Trentham Monkey Forest, explained just how significant this change is.
“It’s been great to see him starting to groom, because that’s the key way these primates can start to build up friendships with the monkeys within their group,” Lovatt said. He added that grooming isn’t just about hygiene — it’s a social glue that helps macaques feel safe and accepted.
For the millions of people who followed Punch’s story from the beginning, the latest footage feels like a small but powerful victory. What began as a viral moment of sadness has slowly transformed into a hopeful reminder of resilience and recovery.
Punch’s journey has also highlighted the emotional depth of primates and the importance of patience and proper care when young animals face early rejection. While the image of the baby monkey hugging a stuffed toy captured hearts worldwide, seeing him now surrounded by others of his own kind feels like the ending everyone was hoping for.
And although Punch may no longer need his orangutan toy as much as before, his story will likely stay with viewers for a long time — a rare viral moment that didn’t just tug at heartstrings, but ended with genuine hope.
