If you’ve been on social media or scrolling the internet this weekend, you may have scrolled past a sweet monkey who stole our hearts.
Punch, a young Japanese macaque at a zoo in Japan, has gone viral after a video showed him being yanked around by a larger monkey before scrambling away and clinging tightly to his favorite comfort item: a stuffed orangutan toy.
The clip spread quickly across social media, with millions of views and thousands of comments from people who were instantly protective of the tiny primate.
Punch was reportedly abandoned by his mother shortly after birth.
Zookeepers stepped in to care for him and gave him the plush toy from IKEA to provide comfort, something he now carries everywhere. In videos, he can be seen toddling around the enclosure, toy in hand, trying to interact with the other monkeys.
When the now-viral moment happened, viewers were alarmed. Many worried he was being bullied. But zoo officials say what people saw was part of normal macaque social behavior as young monkeys learn how to interact within the group.
They say Punch is healthy, resilient and continuing to slowly integrate with the troop.
Still, that hasn’t stopped the wave of affection online. Fans have called him “the bravest little guy,” joked about “protecting Punch at all costs,” and even tracked down the same stuffed toy he carries.
The viral fame has reportedly boosted interest in the zoo, with visitors eager to catch a glimpse of the tiny macaque who, plush orangutan in tow, has become an unexpected global star.
In a world full of heavy headlines, Punch’s dramatic dash to safety and tight squeeze of his stuffed friend struck a chord.
Sometimes, the internet just needs a baby monkey with a toy and a comeback story.