Overview
- Born in July 2025 at Ichikawa Zoo at about 500 grams, Punch was hand-reared after maternal rejection that staff link to a first birth during high heat.
- The infant chose a plush orangutan—identified as IKEA’s DJUNGELSKOG—as a graspable surrogate that offers security and helps build muscles normally developed through clinging.
- After months of care, another macaque has begun accepting Punch, and his weight is now roughly 2 kilograms, though he still needs supplemental feeding and often keeps the toy close.
- The story spread widely under #TieniduroPunch, with social-media tracker Meltwater counting around 37,000 posts and reposts between February 5 and 13.
- Zoo officials report surging interest, including weekend attendance recently doubling year over year, and IKEA’s social channels referencing the toy as “Mamá de Punch.”