A lonely baby monkey has change into an unwitting star on the web after being photographed together with his beloved plush toy.
Punch, a six-month-old baby macaque from Japan, was abandoned by his mother after birth and has turned to a luxurious monkey for comfort.
Born in July last yr, Punch has been raised by zookeepers at Ichikawa City Zoo since birth, hand feeding and caring for him.
But because young macaques cling to their mums from the time they’re born, staff needed to intervene and offer other objects for Punch to cuddle.
His alternative? An orange plush orangutan, which has quickly change into his best friend.
Little Punch has change into a web sensation after photos of him cuddling and carrying around his companion went viral.
He often sleeps on the stuffed animal and holds it while trying to socialize with other monkeys.
In Japan, the hashtag ‘HangInTherePunch’ has begun to trend as images of the little guy flow into.
Kosuke Shikano, 24, told Mainichi: ‘The stuffed animal was a surrogate mother to him.’
Punch has since been introduced to the troop of monkeys at his local zoo, but still must be fed by zookeepers to continue to grow.
By his side is his trusty stuffed orangutan, which provides comfort when he’s ‘scolded’ by other macaques.
Shikano added: ‘Even when scolded by other monkeys, he quickly recovers. He’s mentally strong.’
Previously, one other little macaque was traumatised after watching the murder of his family, and likewise found comfort in a stuffed toy.
Little Mongkood was rescued by WFFT and brought into the rescue centre before further damage may very well be done.
Mongkood is using his teddy bear for emotional support, twiddling with it, clinging to it, and sleeping with it by his side.
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