Karin Helmstaedt
February 21, 2026Advertisement
Punch, a six‑month‑old Japanese macaque near Tokyo, has become a zoo sensation after bonding with a plush orangutan. Abandoned during a heatwave, he needed something to cling to for strength and comfort. Keepers tested towels and toys before finding the stuffed orangutan that helped soothe him and support his reintegration into the troop. Visitors now flock to see the unlikely duo as Punch gains confidence.