IKEA Japan’s president has visited Ichikawa City Zoo after being moved by the viral story of Punch, the baby monkey who uses a plush toy for comfort after his mother abandoned him.
On February 17, Petra Fare, President and Chief Sustainability Officer of IKEA Japan, visited Ichikawa City Zoo after seeing Punch featured widely across Japanese television and social media.
Punch began carrying a plush orangutan after being rejected by his mother shortly after birth, forcing zookeepers to intervene in raising him. One of the main sources of comfort for the young ape has been the plushie.
The stuffed animal is believed to be IKEA’s popular DJUNGELSKOG orangutan, affectionately dubbed “Oran Mama” by fans following the story. With the original toy showing signs of wear, IKEA donated multiple replacements and additional plushies during the visit.
Viral baby monkey now has more IKEA plushies
“IKEA Japan Co., Ltd. has donated familiar plush toys and other items for ‘Punch,’ the Japanese macaque at our city zoo and botanical garden, to carry around,” reads the translated statement shared on Ichikawa’s official X account.
“We hope the gifted plush toys can continue to be a source of comfort and help Punch gradually adjust to the troop. Let’s all keep supporting him together.”
Ichikawa City Mayor Ko Tanaka also shared an update on his official X account following the donation:
“A little monkey (Punch-kun) who’s been working hard and growing all by himself has become so beloved that many people now cheer him on with ‘Ganbare Punch-kun!’ when they see him together with his stuffed toy, treating it like his mother,” Tanaka said.
“Today, the president of the company that makes those stuffed toys came to Ichikawa Zoo and Botanical Garden with a huge number of them.”
The update comes as Punch continues to make gradual progress, with recent clips shared by the zoo showing him beginning to approach and make contact with other macaques.
Hopefully, the new plushies will bring comfort to Punch as he continues his quest to find his new family. Hang in there, Punch!
