The Punch Effect: Baby Monkey & Toy Go Viral Worldwide

The Punch Effect: Baby Monkey’s Orange Orangutan Soft Toy Sells Out Worldwide

As Punch, a seven-month-old macaque monkey, captures hearts across the internet, his adorable companion — an orange orangutan soft toy — is also enjoying massive popularity, selling out rapidly in stores around the world.

The Viral Duo

A touching photograph of Punch from the Ichikawa City Zoo near Tokyo quickly spread across social media, turning the young monkey into a global sensation. Abandoned by his mother, Punch’s emotional journey and gentle expressions resonated with people everywhere, earning him countless admirers and a growing fan base.

Smile for the Camera

Visitors now flock to the zoo in hopes of catching a glimpse of the beloved monkey. Meanwhile, fans across the globe are scrambling to buy his soft toy companion, which has reportedly gone out of stock in Japan and several other countries due to overw

helming demand.

Punch’s Toy Creates Awareness

The popular orangutan plush belongs to IKEA’s DJUNGELSKOG soft toy collection, a special initiative designed to raise awareness about wild animals threatened by human activities. According to IKEA, the collection was inspired by a sustainability project launched after a visit to the rainforests of Borneo, where the company witnessed firsthand the fragile lives of endangered wildlife, including orangutans.

A Deeper Message Behind the Trend

While Punch’s fame has brought smiles worldwide, it also highlights a more serious concern. Both macaques and orangutans face severe risks due to deforestation, illegal wildlife trade, and human exploitation. Macaque monkeys, in particular, are often captured for biomedical research, where they are commonly used in laboratory testing before human clinical trials.

Punch’s viral moment has unintentionally sparked global awareness, reminding people of the urgent need to protect endangered species and preserve natural habitats for future generations.