In early 2026, the internet fell in love with a tiny snow monkey named Punch.
Born in July 2025 and abandoned by his mother, Punch was hand-raised by zookeepers. To comfort him, they gave him an IKEA Djungelskog orangutan plushie, which quickly became his emotional anchor. Videos of him dragging the oversized toy around, especially after being roughly handled by older monkeys, went viral, with many people fearing he was being bullied.
The zoo later clarified: what viewers saw was normal social integration. And recent footage shows Punch now making friends and being groomed by other monkeys, a strong sign of acceptance.
So what can parents learn?
1. Attachment builds confidence.
Punch needed comfort before he could confidently engage with his troop. Children also need emotional security before independence.
2. Not all discomfort is harm.
Growth often includes friction. With support, children learn how to navigate social challenges rather than avoid them.
3. Community care matters.
Though abandoned by his mother, Punch thrived because consistent caregivers stepped in. Love and stability, not just biology, shape resilience.
Punch’s story reminds us: when children have something safe to hold onto, they are braver than we think.
