Punch the monkey originally went viral for being isolated at the Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Japan, but now millions of people are waiting, scrolling on their phones to get the latest update on the Japanese macaque monkey. Punch went from being rejected by the other monkeys and his birth mother, to an internet sensation overnight.
What makes viewers even more sympathetic towards this baby monkey, is that he has his own companion he carries around with him: a stuffed animal orangutan. Viral clips show Punch being excluded by other monkeys, and then running to his plushy for comfort.
CNN, an American multinational media news network, provided the background information on how the love over Punch and the stuffed orangutan came to be.
“Abandoned shortly after his birth last July, videos of the pint-sized primate — shunned and scolded by some of the other monkeys — dragging the plushie around his enclosure have led to a surging interest in Punch and, by extension, IKEA,” CNN said.
After finding out that the famous plush orangutan is from the company IKEA, many spectators and followers of Punch have run to IKEA to get their hands on the perfect stuffy. IKEA quickly ran out of the orangutan, and worked hard to get it back on the shelves in stock.
“Only one of Japan’s 12 IKEA outlets showed the toy in stock, with the majority of UK stores either almost or entirely out of the product. Listings for the plushie have appeared on eBay at marked up prices,” CNN said.
However, Punch isn’t receiving just in person, worldwide support, but also online worldwide support. Many fans are using hashtags, reposting videos, and sharing videos to spread Punch’s story, causing him to receive more attention. After enduring such harsh treatment fans are hoping that Punch will find his place in the zoo.
A USA Today article, provided details and updates on how Punch is adapting and accepting his circumstances.
“There was a moment of hope when we learned he had found friends [monkeys], even if some of us worried those new friends might only be there because of the sudden fame Punch had received from what felt like the whole world rallying around him,” USA Today said.
Yes, now that Punch is finding his place with his new monkey friends, many are still worried about him, and still looking out for updates on his monkey childhood. As for now, Punch the monkey has found his place in the Ichikawa City Zoo. He is receiving lots of love from visitors who come just for him, staff members who tend to his sensitive desires, and even improvement from the other monkeys he tries to fit in with. But, of course, Punch’s number one supporter is still his stuffed orangutan.
