Punch, the viral monkey from Japan, is now looking after another monkey as Ichikawa Zoo has given an update on his well-being.
Back at the start of 2026, the internet found a new animal to rally behind – Punch. The now-infamous Japanese macaque went viral after news that his mother had abandoned him within the troop at the Ichikawa City Zoological and Botanical Garden in Chiba Prefecture, Japan.
Without a mother to cling to, Punch found solace in a stuffed orangutan toy that had been given to him by the zookeepers. Images of him hugging the toy quickly went viral online, with fans from all over the world wanting to visit Punch.
Over the last few months, things with Punch have settled down, but the Ichikawa City Zoo has given updates on his life from time to time – including when he found himself a girlfriend.
New Punch the Monkey update shows him caring for another monkey
On November 8, the zoo uploaded a new video of the viral macaque, noting that he now cares for another monkey within the group.
In the video, Punch can be seen hugging onto the infant monkey, as well as grooming their head and neck, too.
“Punch and the other animals’ conditions change from day to day. We observe them, interact with them, and provide care, and we also adjust their feeding to suit the season and weather,” they said. “Punch is able to live so healthily thanks to the care our keepers provide.”
A number of commenters called it an “adorable” update on Punch, with many of them glad that he has been able to fit a spot within the group after being an outsider.
It is another pretty incredible chapter in Punch’s life and one that might force another book to be written about him.
He isn’t the only animal in the spotlight at the moment, though, as a bird deemed “too fat” to fly in the United States has caught the eye of millions.
I’m Abhishek Sharma, an author at TigerJek.com. I enjoy exploring games, testing different strategies, and turning what I learn into clear, useful guides. My goal is to help players understand the game better and improve without the usual confusion.
