Lisa (BLACKPINK) Visits Punch, the Baby Monkey Abandoned by Its Mother
K-pop star Lisa of BLACKPINK recently shared a touching moment when she visited Punch, a baby Japanese macaque that was abandoned by its mother and has since been clinging to a stuffed orangutan toy for comfort.
On the afternoon of March 7, Lisa posted photos on her Instagram account showing her visit to see Punch at Ichikawa City Zoo in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. The K-pop star appeared cheerful as she met the little monkey — and even brought along a stuffed orangutan identical to the toy Punch is often seen hugging.
Punch was born on July 26, 2025, and belongs to the species Japanese macaque. Shortly after birth, the baby monkey was abandoned by its mother. Zoo staff stepped in to care for Punch, and the monkey eventually began living with the troop starting January 19.
The stuffed orangutan toy was given to Punch to help comfort it during the period when it was still struggling to integrate with the other monkeys.
Whenever other monkeys in the troop push Punch away, the baby macaque is often seen running back to hug the plush toy tightly, using it as a source of security. Videos showing Punch dragging the oversized stuffed animal — which is almost as big as its body — have captured the attention of people around the world.
“In one video, Punch runs over to hug the stuffed orangutan after being pulled away by other monkeys. However, as usual, after a short while it lets go of the toy and continues interacting with the others,” a zoo staff member explained.
Videos of Punch quickly spread across social media globally. In February alone, some clips reached more than 40 million views across multiple platforms, turning the little monkey into an overnight internet sensation. Punch’s story has also been reported by several major international news outlets.
Fans from many countries began using hashtags such as #GanbarePanchi (Stay strong, Punch) and #HangInTherePunch to show their support, viewing the young monkey as a symbol of resilience and perseverance.
Early videos showed Punch appearing isolated and often bullied by other monkeys in the group. However, more recent footage reveals encouraging signs — some monkeys have started grooming Punch, sitting beside it, or even hugging it.
In a statement, the zoo said:
“Although Punch is sometimes scolded by other monkeys, it continues to show remarkable resilience and mental strength. We hope people will support Punch’s efforts rather than simply feel pity.”
Punch’s sudden popularity has even extended into the commercial world. The stuffed orangutan toy it hugs is a product sold by IKEA. The furniture company shared an image of two plush toys hugging each other on social media with the caption:
“Sometimes family is the one you find along the way,” adding, “Now we are all Punch’s family.”
According to The New York Times, since Punch became famous, sales of the stuffed orangutan toy have surged in Japan, the United States, and South Korea.
The global attention has also significantly increased visitor numbers at the Japanese zoo, especially on weekends.
Zoo management has since introduced stricter rules in the monkey enclosure area. Barriers have been installed, visitors are required to remain quiet, and the use of ladders or tripods for photography is prohibited. Visiting time is also limited to 10 minutes per group to reduce stress for the roughly 50 monkeys living in the enclosure.
Alison Behie, a primatologist at the Australian National University, explained that although it is uncommon, mother monkeys can sometimes abandon newborns under certain circumstances related to age, health, or inexperience.
In Punch’s case, she noted that the mother was giving birth for the first time, which may have contributed to the abandonment. Zoo staff also pointed out that Punch was born during a period of intense heat, which may have created a stressful environment.
“In environments where survival is threatened by external factors, a mother monkey may prioritize protecting her own health and future reproductive ability rather than continuing to care for a newborn that may already be affected by those environmental pressures,” Behie said.
Punch, the lonely baby monkey who clings to a stuffed toy for comfort at a zoo in Japan, has now become a global symbol of resilience — and continues to capture the hearts of millions around the world.