Punch the Monkey Finds Love at Japanese Zoo, Cuddling and Kissing Female Macaque Named Momo-Chan

Punch, the baby macaque who shot to global fame for clutching an orange plush toy, has reportedly found a companion at Japan's Ichikawa City Zoo.

Footage from earlier this month shows the young monkey affectionately hugging and kissing a female macaque named Momo-chan, delighting zoo visitors.

The news comes after months of fans following Punch's unusual journey from solitary infant to internet sensation. The tiny primate first gained attention after being abandoned by his mother and shunned by his troop, leaving him reliant on a bright orange stuffed orangutan for comfort.

Now, zoo staff report, he is forming his first genuine bonds with other macaques, signalling a remarkable social transition.

Punch Finds Companion

For context, Punch's rise to viral fame began when visitors noticed the infant clinging obsessively to his plush toy. Zookeepers had initially provided him with a towel and a couple of stuffed animals to ease the trauma of maternal rejection.

The attachment to the orangutan doll was immediate and intense, offering Punch both comfort and a sense of security in an otherwise hostile environment.

Now, however, Punch is showing signs of moving past his reliance on inanimate comfort. Recent videos capture him interacting with Momo-chan in playful, affectionate ways. The two macaques chase each other across their enclosure, sit closely together, and cuddle.

In some clips, they even press their faces together in what appears to be a tender kiss. Punch's orangutan plush remains nearby in some shots, but he no longer clings to it as obsessively, suggesting he is beginning to form real social bonds.

The pair's behaviour indicates that Punch is integrating into the social life of the troop, participating in grooming and playful interaction that are essential for young macaques.

Why Punch Was Being 'Disciplined'

It's worth noting that zookeepers at Japan's Ichikawa City Zoo have clarified that the behaviour of the other monkeys, which might have looked aggressive to visitors, was actually a form of social discipline common in macaque troops.

In wild and captive macaque groups, mothers and older members sometimes correct or scold infants. This will help teach boundaries, proper behaviour, and social etiquette. These interactions can appear harsh, but they are essential for a young monkey's development, helping it understand hierarchy and acceptable social conduct.

Punch's apparent isolation was compounded by his reliance on the plush toy for comfort after maternal separation, making the disciplinary interactions more visible.

Far from being bullied, he was learning the rules of macaque society while gradually gaining confidence and social skills through observation and careful interactions.

Love Among Macaques

For macaques, making friends and spending time with others is really important. Grooming, cuddling, and playing aren't just ways to show love—they also teach young monkeys how to get along with the group, trust others, and learn the skills they need to grow up safely.

In the wild, female macaques typically form long-lasting friendships and mating bonds, while males learn through play and cooperation.

Punch's interaction with Momo-chan, then, represents an important step toward a more typical macaque life, and a remarkable recovery from the early trauma of abandonment.

For Punch, Momo-chan is more than a friend; she may represent the first stages of what will eventually be a lifelong network of social and reproductive bonds. Macaques generally choose partners and allies through repeated social interaction, grooming, and displays of trust, so these early moments of affection are key to forming lasting relationships.

The public can now watch as a once-isolated baby monkey begins the delicate process of learning love and friendship in his own primate way.