Remember when you could walk into IKEA and grab a cute orangutan plushie for twenty bucks? Those days are gone. Thanks to Punch, the abandoned baby monkey in Japan who captured hearts worldwide, that same toy is now selling on eBay for up to $350. That's a 1,650% markup. People are actually paying it.

The Toy Behind the Craze

It's called the Djungelskog orangutan from IKEA. A 26-inch brown plush that was never supposed to be anything special. Then came Punch – a seven-month-old macaque at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan, rejected by his mother and the rest of the monkey troop. Zookeepers gave him the IKEA plush to comfort him. Videos of Punch hugging, dragging around, and sleeping with that toy went completely viral. Suddenly everyone wanted their own Punch monkey surrogate.

Current Availability: It's Complicated

Here's the situation as of March 2026:
  • Sold out: United States, Japan, South Korea
  • Limited stock: Some European and Asian stores (check your local IKEA)
  • Mini version: The 7¾" Djungelskog is still available in some locations for $6.99
  • eBay prices: $52 - $350 depending on seller and condition
The retail price was $20 in the US, $14.99 in Canada, ¥1,290 in Korea, and Rs. 879 in India. Now you're looking at paying at least double if you can find it anywhere.

Where to Check for Stock

If you're determined to get one at retail price (and good luck with that), here's your best bet:
  • Check IKEA's website daily – stock updates happen randomly
  • Call local stores directly – online inventory isn't always accurate
  • Try less popular locations – rural stores sometimes have stock
  • Set up stock alerts if your country's IKEA site offers them
  • Consider the mini version – it's smaller but still adorable and actually available
One Texas buyer reportedly cleaned out 17 units from their local IKEA and resold them at $51.99 each. Twelve sold in a single day. That tells you everything about the current demand.

The eBay Resale Market

If you're willing to pay reseller prices, eBay is your main option. Listings range from reasonable to absolutely absurd:
  • Low end: $50-75 (still 2.5-3.75x retail)
  • Typical: $100-150 (5-7.5x retail)
  • High end: $300-350 (15-17.5x retail)
One extreme listing asked $350 for a single plush. And here's the thing – people are buying them. The demand is real, fueled by Punch's story and the scarcity IKEA created by not anticipating viral monkey fame would move thousands of units.
DJUNGELSKOG orangutan plush toy front view
The 26-inch plush that retailed for $20 before Punch's viral fame

What About Amazon?

You might find third-party sellers on Amazon, but be careful. Prices are just as inflated as eBay, and you need to verify authenticity. The IKEA Djungelskog has specific tags and packaging that counterfeits might not replicate perfectly. Plus, seller ratings matter when you're dropping $100+ on a plush toy that should cost twenty bucks.

Will IKEA Restock?

IKEA has acknowledged the surge in demand, particularly in Japan, the US, and South Korea. Their official statement: "We're making sure that the toy is back in stock as soon as possible." But here's the reality – this was already one of their most popular toys. The Djungelskog line has been a steady seller for years. Restocking might take months, not weeks, especially with supply chain issues still affecting global retail.

Is It Worth the Hype?

That depends on what you want it for. If you're supporting Punch's story and want a piece of internet history, maybe. The toy itself is soft, well-made, and has that distinctive IKEA minimalist design. But if you're just looking for a cute orangutan plush, there are plenty of alternatives that won't cost you a week's worth of groceries. Punch doesn't know you bought his toy. He's busy with the multiple replacement orangutans IKEA already donated to his zoo.
The Punch monkey plush craze is a perfect example of how viral moments create artificial scarcity. A $20 toy became a $350 collector's item overnight because a sad baby monkey hugged one in a video that millions of people watched. If you really want one, set up stock alerts and be patient. Otherwise, maybe just enjoy the videos of Punch and remember that some stories are worth following without needing to own a piece of them.