How did a monkey in Japan become a global star?

Punch, a monkey in Japan who gained global fame for appearing clutching a stuffed orangutan doll after being abandoned by his mother, has received more than 2,500 greeting cards and congratulatory messages on the occasion of his first birthday. His story, which transcended Japan’s borders, helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to support the zoo that took him in. According to the Associated Press, Punch, a Japanese macaque, is celebrating his first birthday at the Ichikawa Zoo and Botanical Garden, where the facility has set up an exhibition documenting his journey from birth to his integration with the rest of the troop, drawing large numbers of visitors.

According to Al Jazeera, the widespread fame the young monkey enjoyed helped the zoo raise approximately 58 million yen (around $370,000) in donations, which were used to improve facilities and renovate some enclosures, after his story became a source of global interest.

Punch’s story began in July 2025, when his mother abandoned him immediately after birth. Zoo supervisors believe this was likely due to severe exhaustion following childbirth. Zoo staff took over his care and provided him with a stuffed orangutan doll to help him develop clinging ability, a crucial skill for young macaques’ survival. The doll became his constant companion; he would turn to it whenever he felt scared or stressed. The zoo documented these moments and later shared them on social media platforms.

Six months after his rescue, Punch was moved to the main enclosure to join about 50 other Japanese macaques. However, integration was not easy at first. Whenever older monkeys pushed him away, he would rush back to his doll and hug it for comfort. This behavior sparked empathy among followers worldwide after photos and videos were published last February.