These past months, a monkey named Punch has touched the hearts of many people around the world with his story.
Punch was just born last year during the summertime at Ichikawa Zoo in Japan. He immediately got abandoned by his mother and got bullied by other groups. The zookeepers recognized the situation and got to action. They gave Punch an orangutan plush to keep him company, instantly becoming an inseparable friend.
This story got posted online and instantly became viral, gaining lots of attention from Tiktok, YouTube, X, and other online platforms.
Bailey McKeithen is a Freshman at Skyline High School who has watched Punch since day one. “I think the workers were very nice to him; they gave Punch his plush toy, which Punch seemed to enjoy,” says McKeithen. “And whenever the zoo keepers would come near the cage, Punch would cling onto them.”
Punch spent most of his time only with his orangutan plush, not interacting with other monkeys. Whenever Punch tries to become part of the group, he is not accepted and always gets bullied in the end.
McKeithen says, “When I first watched Punch, I became very sad. […] I thought, why was the zoo keeping Punch in the same cage as the other monkeys that bully him? But as I watched him, I was glad he had his orangutan stuffed animal.”
Recently, Punch has been seen becoming friends with a few monkeys. Another Skyline High School Freshman, Deena Liotiris, says, “When he found a friend, I was so happy for him, with Punch still holding the little plush.”
Punch’s story has spread all over the world and has created a message following his rough journey.
“I think Punch’s journey has spread a message to not give up and that you won’t always be alone,” says Liotiris. “He kept on trying to make a friend, until he found a monkey that was accepting and happy to be with.”
Punch has created a space he is comfortable in and is continuing to make more new friends.
Although Punch has become friends with the monkeys around him, he has still not let go of his first friend, the orangutan plush. The orangutan plush has become a special presence in Punch’s journey and life.
McKeithen says, “Even if you aren’t accepted by everyone, […] you can find someone still and find comfort in other ways.”
