Meet Panchi-kun, the baby monkey melting hearts across social media! The six month-old macaque, nicknamed Punch, has become an internet star after a series of videos showing him clinging to a plush toy were released. Punch was abandoned by his mother shortly after birth. He was rescued and taken in at the Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan. He was hand-fed by caretakers and slowly introduced to other monkeys. Unfortunately, they all rejected him (a video showing that is heartbreaking.)

So, caretakers offered Punch blankets and stuffed toys to help ease his anxiety. He chose a plush orangutan as his favorite and clings to it like a surrogate mother, and carries it around for comfort and to act as a shield when other monkeys “scold” him. And the best news ever… Punch recently found one adult monkey who has taken him under its wing, protecting and cleaning him, much to the delight of social media! (bottom picture.) 🥹🤩🫶 #Punch #BabyMonkey #AnimalLover #ViralVideo