Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan is experiencing a surge in visitors following the viral spread of videos featuring a six-month-old Japanese macaque named Punch and his attachment to a stuffed orangutan toy, prompting criticism from animal rights groups like PETA who argue the attention exacerbates the harm of zoo confinement.
Punch was rejected by his mother shortly after birth in July and has been hand-reared by zoo staff, who provided him with the plush toy – nicknamed “Ora-mama” by online followers – as a source of comfort. Videos showing Punch dragging the toy and seeking solace with it have garnered international attention, with more than 5,000 people visiting the zoo over a recent holiday weekend, and some queuing for up to an hour to witness the animal.
However, PETA is urging the public to stop sharing the videos, arguing that portraying Punch’s behavior as “heartwarming” obscures the underlying distress caused by his isolation, and captivity. “There’s nothing heartwarming about a baby growing up behind bars,” said Jason Baker, PETA Asia president, in a statement. “Zoos are not sanctuaries—they are places where animals are confined, deprived of autonomy, and denied the complex environments and social lives they would have in the wild.”
PETA draws parallels to the case of Moo Deng, a baby pygmy hippo who gained viral fame in 2024 at a Thai zoo, only to endure harassment from crowds and a barren living environment despite the increased attention. The organization fears a similar pattern will emerge for Punch, with initial interest waning but the underlying conditions of his confinement remaining unchanged.
According to PETA, Punch, like all macaques, would naturally live in a complex social structure within a forest habitat, engaging in activities like grooming and cooperative foraging. The organization contends that the attention Punch receives encourages the zoo to continue breeding animals for entertainment purposes. “When you do [share the videos], it entices facilities like @ichikawa_zoo to breed more babies as tourist attractions,” PETA stated in a social media post.
Kosuke Shikano, one of Punch’s keepers, explained that the stuffed animal’s texture and appearance likely provided a sense of security for the young macaque, acting as a surrogate mother. IKEA Japan reportedly donated additional stuffed toys to the zoo following a visit from its president, Petra Fare.
PETA published a statement on February 27, 2026, reiterating its concerns about Punch’s welfare and calling for a broader reevaluation of the role of zoos in animal conservation and care. The organization has not announced any further planned protests or actions regarding the situation at Ichikawa City Zoo.
