A seven-month-old Japanese macaque named Punch has captured hearts worldwide after going viral for his sweet attachment to a stuffed orangutan from IKEA.
Punch, who was abandoned at birth, is currently being cared for by zookeepers at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan. To provide him with comfort, the zoo staff gave him a 36cm IKEA orangutan plush toy, a simple gesture that soon turned into an internet sensation.
The now-viral moment that melted millions came after Punch had a tense interaction with other macaques. Clearly distressed, the young monkey ran straight to his plush companion and hugged it tightly, clinging to it as if seeking reassurance. The emotional clip quickly spread across TikTok and other social media platforms, with viewers touched by the little macaque's need for comfort.
And just like that, the plushie sold out.
The 36cm orangutan soft toy from IKEA began flying off shelves as the videos gained traction. IKEA Singapore confirmed that the toy had sold out both online and in stores. Similar reports soon followed from Canada, Japan, the United States, and South Korea, with some resellers even listing the plush at marked-up prices due to soaring demand.
Although the orangutan plush has been available for quite some time, Punch's viral fame has given it a fresh wave of attention.
For those in Malaysia eager to get their hands on one, there's still good news: the plush toy is currently listed on IKEA Malaysia's website at RM49.
