Zookeeper shares update on Punch the monkey, whether he has a girlfriend
abcnews.com • • world
Key Points:
- Punch, a Japanese macaque born during a heatwave in July 2025, gained viral fame after being seen clutching an orangutan plushie, which helped him cope when his mother was too weak to care for him.
- The head of Ichikawa City Zoo, Takashi Yasunaga, reported that Punch is now increasingly accepted by other monkeys and is socializing more, rarely relying on the plushie anymore.
- Despite rumors about Punch having a girlfriend, Yasunaga remains uncertain, emphasizing instead the growing bonds Punch has formed with other monkeys in the zoo.
- A widely shared video showed Punch being dragged by another monkey before seeking comfort from the plushie, which sparked a supportive social media campaign under the hashtag #HangInTherePunch.
