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Japanese macaque Punch received over 2,500 birthday cards and helped raise 58 million yen on his first birthday.
Abandoned by his mother, Japanese macaque Punch found comfort in a plush toy and gained worldwide fame on social media. On his first birthday, over 2,500 greeting cards arrived at the zoo, and his story helped raise 58 million yen in donations.
Japanese macaque Punch, who lives in a zoo in Ichikawa, Japan, celebrated his first birthday following a globally beloved story. On this special day, Punch received over 2,500 greeting cards and letters at the zoo.
Born in July 2025, Punch was abandoned by his mother right after birth. Zoo officials believe the mother acted this way due to extreme exhaustion. Caretakers gave the baby monkey an orangutan plush toy to help him develop his clinging skills.
A monkey finding comfort in a plush toy
The plush toy became Punch's constant companion. Images of Punch hugging the toy when scared or anxious spread worldwide through the zoo's social media posts.
After about six months of intensive care, Punch was moved into the main enclosure with around 50 other macaques of his species. However, adjusting to the group was not easy at first. As older monkeys pushed him away, Punch would run back to his plush toy each time seeking security.
Global attention and visitor influx
In February, photos and videos of these moments quickly went viral. While supportive messages were shared on social media with the hashtag #HangInTherePunch, the Associated Press (AP) news agency reported that roughly half of the visitors coming to the zoo were from outside Japan.
Punch's story had not only an emotional but also a material impact. The zoo collected about 58 million yen (370 thousand dollars) thanks to donations from all over the world. These funds were used to improve facilities and renovate enclosures. Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported that some content creators entered restricted areas to film Punch up close, prompting the management to tighten security measures.
In a special exhibition held for his first birthday, over 2,500 greeting cards and letters sent from within Japan and abroad were displayed. No longer needing the toy and fully integrated into the group, Punch has become almost impossible to distinguish from the other monkeys.
Nevertheless, the image of that baby macaque hugging a plush toy last year remains etched in the memories of millions of people around the world.
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