A fairytale ending for Punch? The internet’s favorite baby monkey at Japan’s Ichikawa Zoo, who once went viral for seeking comfort in a stuffed orangutan after being abandoned by his mother, has caused a stir again after he was spotted canoeing with another monkey at the zoo.
Social media has been flooded with clips of Punch and the female macaque. Her name is believed to be Momo-chan – many refer to her as Punch’s “new girlfriend” or “other half”, the New York Post reports.
Several other videos captured the duo hanging out together — and Punch’s beloved stuffed animal made an appearance, too!
And in the middle of these heartwarming moments, the internet did what it does best – some netizens started writing funny comments on X, while others were left in awe.
“You’re still single…”
One user X posted Punch’s video with the caption, “Punch got a girlfriend and you’re still single.”
Another post read: “Because his new girlfriend won’t let him play with his stuffed animal and comes over every now and then to smother him with cuddles.”
But Punch’s story wasn’t the least bit rosy before.
What is the story of Punch the Monkey?
Born in July 2025, Panchi-kun or Punch in English is a Japanese macaque who was abandoned by his mother at birth at the Ichikawa City Zoo.
Punch was later introduced to an enclosure with other monkeys, but zoo staff observed that he struggled to integrate and was often pushed away when he attempted to interact.
Since Japanese macaque babies usually cling to their mothers to build muscle strength and feel secure, Punch was given an orange orangutan with a bug in his mother’s absence.
Soon Punch and the stuffed toy became almost inseparable.
How did Punch go viral?
Netizens across Asia, Europe and North America have started clips of Punch, describing him as “heart melting” and “too clean for the internet”. Many users reported that the images reminded them of childhood comfort items, creating a universal emotional connection that transcended language barriers.
When talking about Punch’s attachment to his cuddly “mom,” animal behaviorists — at the time — said the baby monkey’s attachment was not unusual. Primate infants, including macaques, often seek substitute comfort when the maternal bond is disrupted
The short clips posted by the zoo were widely shared by animal lovers and influencers, making Punch a global sensation almost overnight.
