Japan’s monkey Punch marks first birthday with 2,500 fan cards

Punch macaque Ichikawa City Zoo birthday cards viral animal video Japan zoo

Punch, an orphaned Japanese macaque at Ichikawa City Zoological and Botanical Garden near Tokyo, turned one on 26 July 2026. Born on 26 July 2025, he was abandoned by his mother and rescued by zoo staff, who gave him a plush orangutan to help him develop his grip. The infant’s habit of clinging to the toy went viral on social media, drawing worldwide attention.

To celebrate his first birthday, the zoo displayed an indoor exhibit filled with about 2,500 birthday cards and messages from visitors in Japan and abroad. Zoo head Takashi Yasunaga said the cards far exceeded expectations and now cover the exhibit walls. Punch has since been integrated with roughly 50 other macaques and no longer relies constantly on the toy. Fans used the hashtag #HangInTherePunch, and visitors such as Kumi Ishizawa reported that the monkey’s story helped them cope with personal health challenges.

Entities: Germany · Ichikawa City Zoo · Ichikawa City Zoological and Botanical Garden · Punch · Punch (Japanese macaque) · Takashi Yasunaga · horse

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 3 SOURCES] Punch received approximately 2,500 birthday cards and messages from supporters worldwide. (All three articles)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Visitor numbers rose sharply, with half of the visitors coming from abroad after the viral posts. (Article 5f673687-e145-40ec-a338-4d551471160d)
[● 3 SOURCES] Punch was abandoned by his mother shortly after birth and cared for by zoo staff. (All three articles)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Fans used the hashtag #HangInTherePunch on social media to encourage the monkey. (Article 5f673687-e145-40ec-a338-4d551471160d)
[● 3 SOURCES] Punch the orphaned macaque celebrated his first birthday at the Zoological and Botanical Garden in Itskawa, Japan. (All three articles)
[● 3 SOURCES] The zoo created a dedicated exhibition area to display the cards, drawings and videos sent by fans. (All three articles)
[● 3 SOURCES] Punch now lives with about 50 other macaques at the zoo. (All three articles)
[● 3 SOURCES] Punch became a global internet sensation after photos showed him clutching a plush orangutan toy. (All three articles)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Visitor numbers at Ichikawa Zoo doubled after Punch's viral fame. (Second article)
[○ 1 SOURCE] IKEA donated 33 additional plush orangutan toys to Punch. (Second article)
[● 3 SOURCES] Punch's mother rejected him at birth, requiring bottle feeding by zoo staff. (All three articles)
[● 3 SOURCES] Punch was born on 26 July 2025 at the Ichikawa Zoological Park in Japan. (All three articles)