A baby monkey named Punch was caught on video, being dragged in circles by a much larger monkey. The clip shows him scrambling for footing while an adult macaque pulls him around the enclosure. What happens next? He runs straight to his stuffed orangutan toy, clings tight, and just holds on. That moment in February 2026 made millions of people cry.
The Video That Made the World Cry
It started with a clip posted on social media. Punch, this tiny 7-month-old Japanese macaque, was minding his own business when an adult monkey grabbed him and started dragging him around. Hard.
The video shows Punch getting pulled in circles, his little legs scrambling. When he finally breaks free, he doesn't run to a zookeeper or hide in a corner. He runs to his IKEA orangutan plushie and hugs it like his life depends on it.
That's when people lost it. The video racked up millions of views within days. Comments poured in from around the world – "I can't stop crying", "Someone help that baby", "This breaks my heart".
The video shows Punch getting pulled in circles, his little legs scrambling. When he finally breaks free, he doesn't run to a zookeeper or hide in a corner. He runs to his IKEA orangutan plushie and hugs it like his life depends on it.
That's when people lost it. The video racked up millions of views within days. Comments poured in from around the world – "I can't stop crying", "Someone help that baby", "This breaks my heart".
Why Were They So Mean to Him?
Here's the thing about Punch – he didn't have a mom. She abandoned him right after he was born in July 2025. Without his mother to teach him how to be a proper monkey, he was basically raised by humans.
That's the problem. Baby monkeys learn everything from their moms – how to act, how to talk monkey, how to fit in. Punch never got that lesson. So when he tried to make friends with the other monkeys, he probably did it all wrong.
According to primate experts, Japanese macaques have super strict social rules. Higher-ranking monkeys dominate lower-ranking ones. Punch, being an orphan without any status, was at the very bottom of the totem pole. The other monkeys weren't necessarily being cruel – they were just following monkey law.
That's the problem. Baby monkeys learn everything from their moms – how to act, how to talk monkey, how to fit in. Punch never got that lesson. So when he tried to make friends with the other monkeys, he probably did it all wrong.
According to primate experts, Japanese macaques have super strict social rules. Higher-ranking monkeys dominate lower-ranking ones. Punch, being an orphan without any status, was at the very bottom of the totem pole. The other monkeys weren't necessarily being cruel – they were just following monkey law.
It Wasn't Just One Video
After that first viral clip hit, people started paying way more attention to Punch. And you know what they found? More videos showing him getting pushed around.
Each video showed the same pattern – Punch tries to interact, gets rejected, runs back to his plushie for comfort. It became this whole thing online. People started using the hashtag #がんばれパンチ (which means "Hang In There Punch") to show support.
- Older monkeys shoving him away from food
- Females chasing him when he tried to play
- Adults screeching at him when he got too close
Each video showed the same pattern – Punch tries to interact, gets rejected, runs back to his plushie for comfort. It became this whole thing online. People started using the hashtag #がんばれパンチ (which means "Hang In There Punch") to show support.
The Zoo Had to Say Something
The outcry got so big that Ichikawa City Zoo actually had to issue a statement. Their response? It's not bullying, it's normal monkey behavior.
They explained that adult monkeys often discipline babies who don't follow the rules. In Punch's case, he probably approached another monkey's baby, and the mom stepped in to protect her kid. To humans it looked mean, but to monkeys, that's just how they roll.
The zoo also pointed out that no single monkey had shown "serious aggression" toward Punch. Sure, he was getting scolded and pushed around, but nobody was actually trying to hurt him badly.
They explained that adult monkeys often discipline babies who don't follow the rules. In Punch's case, he probably approached another monkey's baby, and the mom stepped in to protect her kid. To humans it looked mean, but to monkeys, that's just how they roll.
The zoo also pointed out that no single monkey had shown "serious aggression" toward Punch. Sure, he was getting scolded and pushed around, but nobody was actually trying to hurt him badly.
But Then Something Changed
Just when people were about to give up hope, new footage dropped. It showed something totally different – another monkey actually grooming Punch. Like, picking through his fur and being nice to him.
Then came the hug video. A young monkey wrapped its arms around Punch while he clutched his plushie. The internet went wild again, but this time with happy tears.
By late February 2026, the zoo reported that Punch was interacting with more monkeys every day. He was still getting scolded sometimes (that never really stops in monkey world), but he was also playing, grooming, and slowly figuring out his place in the troop.
Then came the hug video. A young monkey wrapped its arms around Punch while he clutched his plushie. The internet went wild again, but this time with happy tears.
By late February 2026, the zoo reported that Punch was interacting with more monkeys every day. He was still getting scolded sometimes (that never really stops in monkey world), but he was also playing, grooming, and slowly figuring out his place in the troop.
Punch's bullying videos hit something deep in people. Maybe it's because we've all felt like the odd one out at some point. Maybe it's because a baby clinging to a stuffed animal for comfort is just universally heartbreaking. Whatever the reason, Punch went from rejected orphan to global symbol of resilience. And the best part? He's still there at Ichikawa Zoo, making friends one monkey at a time.