Hashtag ‘HangInTherePunch’: The Emotional Story Of ‘Baby Punch’ Continues Going Viral with New Videos
Hashtag 'HangInTherePunch': The Emotional Story Of ‘Baby Punch’ Continues Going Viral with New Videos
Orphaned monkey at Japan zoo finds comfort in stuffed toy; AI video later adds fictional twist
A heart-touching story from Japan has taken social media by storm. A baby monkey named Punch, who was rejected by his mother at birth, has become a symbol of resilience and emotional healing after finding comfort in a stuffed toy.
Punch was born in July 2025 at the Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan. According to reports, his mother faced complications during childbirth amid a severe heatwave and refused to accept the newborn. As a result, the tiny cub was left without maternal care from the very beginning.
Zoo staff stepped in immediately and began hand-raising Punch. However, emotional challenges soon surfaced. Other monkeys in the enclosure reportedly did not accept him easily, and he struggled to integrate into the troop. Without a mother’s protection, he often faced difficulty blending in.
To support his emotional needs, Zookeepers gave him an IKEA DJUNGELSKOG stuffed orangutan plush — nicknamed “Oran-Mama” by fans — as an emotional support companion in the absence of maternal bonding. Videos of the infant dragging the oversized toy around his enclosure quickly made him an international star.
The young monkey quickly formed an attachment to it. He was often seen carrying the toy around, cuddling it, and even sleeping beside it. Photos and videos of Punch clinging to the soft toy have deeply moved viewers across the world.
On February 5, 2026, the zoo made an online post about Punch’s backstory, which became an overnight sensation.
Videos of the infant dragging the oversized toy around his enclosure quickly made him an international star.The hashtag #HangInTherePunch began trending online, with many users expressing sympathy and encouragement for the little monkey.
On February 17, IKEA Japan CEO Petra Färe visited the zoo to donate 33 stuffed toys — including additional orangutans — along with storage items, to support Punch and for use in children’s areas of the zoo. IKEA Japan posted publicly that “We’re ALL Punch’s family now,” sending its own social media following into meltdown. Huge lines then began forming outside the Ichikawa City Zoo — which zoo officials considered unprecedented — causing them to apologize for delays in entry.
Punch has become more than a viral animal story. Analysts and fans alike describe him as a “relatable outsider” — a symbol of loneliness, resilience, and the universal need for belonging.
Meanwhile, the story took another turn when an 18-second AI-generated video began circulating online. The clip reimagines Punch’s journey as a dramatic revenge-style action story. The video has sparked debate, with many viewers questioning whether it is real or digitally created.
Zoo officials have said that Punch’s situation is gradually improving. Now around seven months old, he is slowly being accepted by the other monkeys and is showing signs of better social adjustment.
