Rejected at birth, baby macaque Punch becomes internet darling after emotional videos go viral, watch

From the very first breath, babies depend entirely on their mothers for warmth, nourishment and safety. In the wild, that bond is not just emotional - it is survival itself. When a mother turns away, the world becomes frighteningly vast for a newborn, every cry carrying the weight of abandonment. Such was the fate of a tiny macaque named Punch, whose story has now moved millions online.

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A Lonely Beginning at Ichikawa City Zoo

In the quiet enclosures of Japan’s Ichikawa City Zoo, Punch entered the world in July 2025 - only to be rejected by his mother almost immediately. For young macaques, maternal contact is essential for feeding, grooming and learning social behaviour. Without it, survival can be uncertain. Left alone in his earliest days, Punch’s fragile start could have taken a tragic turn.

Everything is getting better for little Punch as the older monkeys came to support him. The monkey that went viral on social media in the past few days is starting to get some company. pic.twitter.com/ba6oVoQ6lU

— Nature is Amazing ☘️ (@AMAZlNGNATURE) February 20, 2026

When a Plush Toy Became “Mom”

Zookeepers quickly intervened, bottle-feeding the infant and surrounding him with soft blankets and toys. But it was an oversized plush orangutan that changed everything. Punch clung to it instinctively - sleeping, cuddling and carrying it across his enclosure as though it were his mother. The toy became his source of comfort in a world that had initially denied him affection.

Baby Macaque Punch Rejected by Mother at Ichikawa City Zoo Japan, Finds Comfort in Orangutan Plush Toy 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/P0InjgWnLW

— Restoring Your Faith in Humanity (@HumanityChad) February 20, 2026

Punch - Abandoned by his own mother and family but... loved by millions on earth now 🥹 pic.twitter.com/VJILMWnZ9F

— Deepu (@deepu_drops) February 19, 2026

Soon, videos of Punch tightly hugging his plush companion flooded X (formerly Twitter).

For some people, life feels unfair from the very first day they enter this world 💔#Punch

pic.twitter.com/69FMXcLPOY

— Tansu Yegen (@TansuYegen) February 20, 2026

Netizens watched him drag the toy around, nestle into it and refuse to let go - scenes that felt achingly human.

This little monkey is all over my X feed.

He was rejected by his own mother and other monkeys…

So he found comfort in this teddy bear.

My heart is 💔

pic.twitter.com/MeXH0E5rio

— Ada Lluch (@ada_lluch) February 19, 2026

The story of Punch-kun, lovingly called Punch — a tiny baby monkey with a heart too big for his little body.

Born in July 2025 at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan, this seven-month-old macaque faced heartbreak almost immediately. His biological mother rejected him shortly after birth,… pic.twitter.com/McTKs9STSH

— Meow Meow World 🐱🐾 (@MeowMeowWorld7) February 19, 2026

The clips quickly racked up millions of views, turning the once-abandoned infant into an internet darling.

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A Symbol of Resilience

Hashtags, heartfelt comments and global media attention followed, celebrating Punch’s quiet resilience. Today, Punch is slowly beginning to bond with other macaques - a hopeful sign for his future. From rejection to worldwide affection, his journey is a reminder that love, in any form, can heal even the loneliest beginnings.