As the world rooted for him, baby monkey Punch finally embraced by his troop | WATCH

As millions across the globe hoped for a happier turn in his story, Punch — the once-rejected baby macaque at Ichikawa City Zoo — has finally found acceptance within his troop.

The seven-month-old Punch, who had earlier melted hearts after being seen clinging to a plush toy for comfort following his mother’s abandonment, is now being embraced by the very group that had once pushed him away. It is now reported that the very monkeys who once bullied him have begun behaving cordially towards him..

A widely shared video shows an adult monkey gently pulling Punch into a close, reassuring hug — a moment that social media users have described as deeply moving.

The clip, circulated on X by an account named @dondawastaken, was captioned: "After enduring days of rejection, Baby Punch finally experienced the comfort of love. Today, the adult monkey Onsing drew little Punch into a firm, deeply reassuring embrace."
 

Another video shows an adult monkey carefully grooming Punch — a remarkable gesture in primate society, where grooming serves as a powerful social tool to build trust, reinforce bonds and signal acceptance within the group.
 

For many online, the transformation felt personal. “You guys don't know how much I needed this. Wow,” one user wrote. Another said: “Didn't know I would be weeping at a baby monkey being accepted by other monkeys, but here we are.” A third added: “Seeing him gradually fitting into the group little by little, I'm really so glad. Yesterday was tough, but today is packed with healing! Please stay happy forever, Punch-kun.”
 

Punch’s story first went viral when zoo staff introduced him to the enclosure housing the other macaques. His attempts to interact were met with indifference and, at times, aggression. Footage showed him sitting alone, clutching a large orangutan plush toy gifted by a staff member — intended both as emotional comfort and as a substitute for maternal bonding.

The Ichikawa City Zoological and Botanical Gardens later explained the tense interactions. In one instance, when Punch tried to approach another infant monkey, he was avoided and subsequently dragged away by an adult — believed to be the infant’s mother. According to the zoo, the adult may have been reacting protectively, interpreting Punch’s approach as distressing to her own baby.

Over time, however, Punch appeared to learn the subtle codes of troop behaviour. Having been reprimanded repeatedly in earlier attempts, he gradually adjusted to the group’s social cues — a shift that now seems to have paved the way for acceptance.

IKEA steps in to ensure Punch always has a plush companion

Punch’s journey also drew corporate attention!

After videos of Punch hugging his plush toy spread widely, IKEA Japan stepped in to ensure he would never be without comfort. Petra Fare, President and Chief Sustainability Officer of IKEA Japan, visited the zoo to donate multiple replacement plush toys.
Ichikawa City Mayor Ko Tanaka shared the news, noting how Punch had become a symbol of resilience, with many cheering him on with “Ganbare Punch-kun!” — roughly translating to “Stay strong, Punch!”
 

“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,” a translated post on Ichikawa’s official X account said.

“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.”

But it is the recent footage — of a once-bullied and abandoned baby now being groomed and held by his troop — that has resonated most deeply.

As the world wished for him to find belonging, Punch has finally found his place — not just in the hearts of millions watching online, but within his own family of macaques.