Abandoned Baby Monkey Who Clung To Toy Now Has ‘Girlfriend’ — And The Internet Is Obsessed
The internet’s favourite monkey has had a glow-up.
After going viral for clinging to a stuffed toy for comfort, one tiny macaque has now been spotted doing something very different.
He’s got company.
And people online are calling it his “girlfriend era”.
The Monkey That Broke Everyone’s Heart
Meet Punch.
A baby macaque born in Japan who went viral after being abandoned by his mother at birth.
With no one to cling to, zookeepers gave him a soft toy — a plush orangutan — for comfort.
And the footage?
Heartbreaking.
Punch was seen hugging it constantly, sleeping with it, and carrying it everywhere like a surrogate parent.
The clips spread across TikTok, Instagram and news sites — with millions of people emotionally invested in his story.
His Journey From Lonely To Loved
At first, Punch struggled to integrate with other monkeys.
He was small, inexperienced, and lacked the social skills other macaques learn from their mothers.
Some footage even showed him being pushed away by older monkeys — which only made people more protective of him online.
But behind the scenes, keepers were working to help him adjust.
And slowly, things started to change.
He began interacting more.
Playing more.
And relying less on his toy.
Photo credit: Ichikawa City Zoo / social media
Now He’s Been Spotted With A ‘Girlfriend’
Fast forward to now — and Punch’s story has taken a very different turn.
New clips show him cuddling, playing and even “kissing” another monkey, believed to be called Momo-chan.
The pair have been seen:
• Chasing each other around
• Grooming and cuddling
• Spending time side-by-side
Naturally, the internet has decided…
She’s his girlfriend.
Fans quickly flooded social media with reactions, with one viral comment joking:
“Punch found a girlfriend and you’re still single.”
What’s Actually Going On
As cute as it looks, experts say this isn’t quite a romance.
Punch is still very young.
At this stage, the behaviour is more about social bonding and development than anything else.
Momo-chan is thought to be older — and may be acting more like a protective companion or “big sister” figure.
In macaque groups, grooming and close contact are essential.
It’s how trust is built.
So while the internet is calling it love…
It’s really a sign of something even more important.
He’s no longer alone.
Photo credit: Zoo footage / social media
Why Everyone Is So Invested
There’s a reason this story has blown up.
It’s not just about a monkey.
It’s about something deeper.
Punch’s journey hits on themes people relate to:
• Loneliness
• Rejection
• Finding connection
• Emotional growth
At first, he represented vulnerability.
Now, he represents resilience.
And that kind of arc is exactly what makes stories go viral.
The Toy That Started It All
Interestingly, Punch hasn’t completely ditched his iconic plush toy.
It still appears in clips occasionally.
But the difference is clear.
He no longer depends on it the same way.
Zookeepers say this is a positive sign of development, showing he’s becoming more independent and socially integrated.
In other words:
The toy did its job.
The Internet’s Reaction Is Very On Brand
As expected, social media has run with the story.
Reactions range from emotional to chaotic:
• “He upgraded from plushie to girlfriend”
• “This is the character development I needed”
• “Why is a monkey doing better than me?”
It’s become part wholesome update, part meme.
And honestly, it’s exactly the kind of content people want right now.
A Small Win That Feels Big
In a timeline full of heavy news, Punch’s story stands out.
It’s simple.
It’s emotional.
And it has a genuinely positive update.
From being abandoned at birth to forming real connections, his journey shows how adaptable animals — and humans — can be.
What Happens Next?
Zookeepers will continue helping Punch integrate fully into the troop.
The goal is for him to:
• Build stable social bonds
• Rely less on human support
• Develop naturally within the group
And if recent clips are anything to go by…
He’s well on his way.
Key Points Summary
• Punch is a baby macaque abandoned by his mother at birth.
• He went viral after clinging to a stuffed toy for comfort.
• He initially struggled to integrate with other monkeys.
• New footage shows him bonding with a monkey named Momo-chan.
• Fans are calling her his “girlfriend”, though it’s likely social bonding.
• His reduced reliance on the toy signals healthy development.
• The story has gone viral due to its emotional and wholesome arc.