A tiny monkey at a Japanese zoo accidentally turned a plush toy into the internet’s hottest item.
Punch, a 7-month-old macaque at Ichikawa City Zoo, was abandoned shortly after birth and is being raised by zoo staff. To give him comfort, keepers gave him a stuffed Ikea orangutan to cling to.
Then came the viral moment.
A video posted online showed Punch tightly hugging the plush toy after an adult monkey briefly dragged him around the enclosure. The clip spread rapidly, turning the baby monkey into an overnight internet celebrity.
Concerned viewers worried about Punch’s safety, but zoo officials said the behavior was normal troop “scolding.” The young macaque was unharmed and has since been seen interacting normally with the group.
Meanwhile, the real chaos happened online.
Punch’s emotional support toy — Ikea’s $19.99 Djungelskog stuffed orangutan — quickly sold out across the United States, Japan, and South Korea. Some resellers even started listing the plush for much higher prices.
One small monkey, one stuffed orangutan, and suddenly the internet had a new must-have toy.
Original article published here.
