A Japanese zoo's most beloved resident is making headlines once more. Punch-kun, a baby macaque at Ichikawa City Zoological and Botanical Garden, had a difficult start in life. His journey from loneliness to companionship has now touched hearts across the world all over again.
The young macaque has struck up a warm friendship with a female monkey named Momo-chan. The two have been frequently spotted together, playing, grooming, and staying by each other's side. Many online viewers have begun calling Momo-chan his "girlfriend".
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I’m flying to Japan to interview this so-called girlfriend. Punch has been through a lot and I want to make sure he is making the right decision. pic.twitter.com/dThc2GXK0S
— Sgt Pepper (@MzSgtPepper) March 20, 2026
How did it all begin?
Punch-kun was born in July 2025 and soo n after his birth, his mother walked away from him. Zoo caretakers stepped in and took over his care entirely. To help him feel secure, they provided him with a soft orangutan doll.
The sight of the tiny monkey holding onto the doll moved people across the globe. The footage travelled fast on social media and turned Punch-kun into an overnight sensation. His early days with the troop were turbulent. The other monkeys were unwelcoming, and he was turned away repeatedly.
The zoo breaks it down
The zoo addressed public concern over Punch-kun's situation. Officials explained that macaque communities follow a "strict hierarchical society", where senior members carry out "disciplining actions" toward those lower in rank.
The zoo reassured worried followers with a clear statement: "Although Punch has been scolded many times by other monkeys, no single monkey has shown serious aggression toward him." The zoo urged well-wishers to back his progress with encouragement rather than sympathy.
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Punch-kun is barely recognisable from his earlier self. He spends most of his time beside Momo-chan and moves through the group with growing ease. Zoo staff have noticed that the soft doll -once his constant companion -is no longer something he seeks out as often. For the caretakers, this is a welcome sign that he is finding his footing on his own.
