The internet’s latest emotional obsession – Punch, the baby monkey that has captured hearts around the world – has also turned an unlikely item into a global bestseller: an orange orangutan plush toy from Swedish furniture giant IKEA.
What is Punch’s Orange Plush?
Now instantly recognizable on social media, the plush toy is part of the company’s popular DJUNGELSKOG series, and fans are now rushing to find out exactly where it comes from and how much it costs.
Punch, a young Japanese macaque living at the Ichikawa City Zoo near Tokyo, has become a viral sensation after videos showed him clinging tightly to a stuffed orangutan for comfort.
The monkey was abandoned by his mother shortly after birth in July 2025, so zoo keepers looked for ways to help him cope with anxiety and loneliness. Punch-kun – as he’s affectionately known on the internet – soon developed a deep attachment to the stuffed toy, which breeders introduced as a surrogate source of emotional security.
According to zoo officials, Punch initially struggled to socialize with other monkeys and showed signs of isolation. The stuffed orangutan helped recreate the physical comfort that young macaques normally receive from their mothers, allowing him to hold, play and sleep while he slowly acclimated to life in a pack. The images of the little monkey hugging the toy quickly spread online, generating huge public sympathy and even increasing the number of visitors at the zoo.
Read also | Punch the Monkey is winning on the internet. Here’s why people are in love
More about the stuffed animal
As the story went viral around the world, viewers began to ask a simple question: where did the toy come from? The answer surprised many. The plush is the DJUNGELSKOG orangutan — a soft toy that IKEA sells as part of its wildlife-themed children’s range. Designed to be huggable and flexible, this toy has long arms that allow it to “hang” or hold on, mirroring how real apes move between trees.
The DJUNGELSKOG line itself has become one of IKEA’s most famous plush collections worldwide, along with other internet-famous toys such as its shark plush. The orangutan version measures approximately 66cm in length and is made primarily of polyester fibers with embroidered facial features designed for safety and durability.
After Punch’s sudden fame, IKEA even acknowledged the viral moment. Company representatives visited the zoo and donated several plush toys so that the young macaque would always have a companion. The gesture further boosted online affection for both Punch and the toy, with fans dubbing her “Oran-Mama”.
So how much does the famous stuffed animal cost now?
In the United States, a DJUNGELSKOG orangutan usually sells for approx $19.99 (roughly ₹1,650), making it a relatively affordable buy despite its viral status. The award was widely cited in international coverage following the Punch story.
In India, availability varies by store and stock, but listings on IKEA India show the price of plush toys as approx ₹842 for certain variants, although prices may vary based on size and regional availability. Online sellers sometimes list higher prices due to the demand created by a viral trend.
Here’s how much it costs at IKEA India.
The surge in interest draws attention to a well-known Internet phenomenon: a heartwarming animal story that turns an everyday object into a cultural symbol. For many viewers, Punch’s bond with the plush represents resilience and emotional healing rather than a cute viral moment.
Videos of the monkey carrying the toy everywhere—eating, resting, and exploring with it—resonated deeply with audiences who see echoes of children’s comfort objects and attachment.
Animal behaviorists note that surrogate objects are sometimes used in rehabilitation facilities when young animals lose maternal care. In Punch’s case, keepers say the toy helped him gradually integrate into the monkey troop, suggesting he may eventually rely on it less as his confidence grows.
But for now, the orange orangutan remains inseparable from the internet’s favorite monkey — and what started as a simple stuffed toy on a store shelf has become a global symbol of comfort, empathy and unexpected connection.