A lonely baby monkey has become an unwitting star on the internet after being photographed 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 plush monkey for comfort.
Born in July last year, 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 had to intervene and offer other objects for Punch to cuddle.
His choice? An orange plush orangutan, which has quickly become his best friend.
Little Punch has become an internet 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 socialise with other monkeys.
In Japan, the hashtag ‘HangInTherePunch’ has begun to trend as images of the little guy circulate.
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 needs to be fed by zookeepers to keep growing.
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, another little macaque was traumatised after watching the murder of his family, and also found comfort in a stuffed toy.
Little Mongkood was rescued by WFFT and brought into the rescue centre before further damage could be done.
Mongkood is using his teddy bear for emotional support, playing with it, clinging to it, and sleeping with it by his side.
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