Abandoned monkey who clung to toy now cares for younger infants

The moving story of Punch, a macaque monkey at Ichikawa Zoo in Japan, has taken a heartwarming turn. After being rejected by his mother shortly after birth and suffering hostile treatment from other monkeys, he is no longer the solitary infant clinging to an orange orangutan plush toy, he now spends time alongside younger infants and watches over them.

Punch became an internet sensation in February when the zoo posted images of him hugging a large plush toy that keepers had given him. The toy served as a source of comfort after his mother abandoned him and the other monkeys refused to accept him into their company.

A new video circulating online now shows Punch playing gently with a young infant and spending time at its side. The footage moved many viewers, who saw it as a full-circle moment for the monkey who once struggled to find his place in the group.

Punch in the past, being mistreated by other monkeys (Photo: Insider Paper)

The zoo also released an updated video earlier this week showing Punch playing and frolicking with the rest of the monkeys. Management said he now lives a healthy and active life alongside his troop, thanks to the staff's ongoing care and monitoring.

Punch's story previously drew visitors from around the world to the Japanese zoo, which sought to clarify that some of the behaviors that appeared aggressive toward him are part of the natural social hierarchy of macaque monkeys.