In the age of viral TikToks and fleeting internet trends, it is rare for a story to truly pull at the heartstrings of millions. But for a seven-month-old Japanese macaque named Punch, the world is doing more than just watching; it is rooting for him. Punch, born in July 2025 at the Ichikawa City Zoological and Botanical Gardens near Tokyo, had a difficult start to life. Abandoned by his mother shortly after birth, a rejection zookeepers believe was due to her inexperience and the stress of an intense summer heatwave, the tiny monkey was left without the essential contact comfort primates need to thrive.
To help Punch cope with his isolation, zookeepers provided him with a large, plush orangutan from IKEA’s DJUNGELSKOG line. Punch quickly bonded with the toy, nicknamed “Ora-mama,” clinging to it for security while he slept, ate, and navigated his enclosure. Videos of Punch dragging his oversized companion across the pavement and burying his face in its fur went viral in early 2026, sparking the global hashtag #HangInTherePunch. The “Punch-kun” phenomenon has even caused the specific IKEA plushie to sell out in several countries as fans look to own a piece of the story.
This global phenomenon has bridged the 5,000-mile gap between China, Japan, and the hallways of Shadow Ridge High School in Las Vegas. Students here, like millions of others, first encountered Punch through short-form video updates on TikTok and Instagram Reels. What began as a distant internet trend quickly became a topic of conversation between classes, with students sharing the latest clips of Punch’s struggles and small victories. The story resonated deeply at Shadow Ridge because it mirrors universal themes of finding a place to belong, a sentiment often discussed in student circles and school districts focusing on compassion and connection.
A Lariat article written in 2020 by previous Editor in Chief, Kale Nelson, who is an alumni monkey advocate, wrote on the enslavement on monkeys. This article went in depth about the poor treatments of monkeys.
He mentioned, “I have seen monkey mistreatment before, but this is a whole other level of heartbreak. Punch should not be experiencing this at such a young age.”
In January 2026, the zoo began the delicate process of reintegrating Punch into “Monkey Mountain,” a troop of approximately 60 macaques. The transition hasn’t been easy. Viral clips showing older monkeys swatting at or dragging Punch, a behavior the zoo clarifies is normal, albeit harsh, social discipline, led to an outpouring of concern from animal lovers worldwide.
“Punch clings to his stuffed toy for comfort or protection when he perceives danger,” the zoo stated, emphasizing that these moments are part of his mental strength and learning process.
Found recently, Punch the Monkey has now been accepted and welcomed into the family of monkeys they have at the zoo.
