A small macaque, named Punch, about seven months old, cared for by officials at the Ichikawa zoo after being abandoned by its mother, became the protagonist of a viral video. In the footage, the little primate carries a stuffed orangutan everywhere with him and hugs it tightly, before attempting again to get closer to the likes of him on “Monkey Mountain.” The story sparked a wave of sympathy and led to a huge turnout of visitors to the zoo.
IKEA’s reaction boosted interest: in promotional material and on the product page, the company emphasized the fact that this stuffed animal provides solace to Punch, while in some branches, the product caption even featured the tender reference “Mama de Punch”. As a result, demand for the DJUNGELSKOG model skyrocketed — a company spokesman reported a significant increase in sales, with the plush being blown away in Japan, the US and South Korea. IKEA promises to replenish stocks immediately, foreign media reported.
The zoo said the stuffed animal works for Punch as a kind of “surrogate mother,” helping him feel secure when socializing. The company also delivered additional stuffed animals to the pet. The management, in turn, invited visitors to support the animal and not just pity it by dripping pity — the story, officials say, highlights its persistence and gradual integration into the group.
