Lance Joseph Martinez

From Tears to Pinoy Kilig: ‘Punch’ the Snow Monkey and His Zookeepers Capture Hearts

Article (news)

<p>Back in 2024, the internet couldn’t get enough of<strong> Moo Deng</strong>, the<strong> sassy pygmy hippopotamus </strong>who charmed millions with her high-energy antics. Fast forward to 2026, and just as the year begins, another animal star is warming hearts worldwide—this time, it’s a baby <strong>snow monkey</strong> named <strong>Punch</strong>.</p><p>Punch, fondly called <strong>“Punch Monkey”</strong> online, is a <strong>Japanese macaque</strong> born on July 26, 2025, at the <strong>Ichikawa City Zoo.</strong> His name is a sweet nod to Monkey Punch, the legendary mangaka behind <strong>Lupin the Third</strong>. But beyond his pop culture-inspired name, it’s Punch’s emotional story that has truly captured global attention.</p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><blockquote cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@news.com.au/video/7608788961808436488" class="tiktok-embed" data-video-id="7608788961808436488" id="v16811443079502342" style="max-width:605px;min-width:325px"><iframe style="width:100%;height:739px;display:block;visibility:unset;max-height:739px" name="__tt_embed__v16811443079502342" sandbox="allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-scripts allow-top-navigation allow-same-origin" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7608788961808436488?lang=en-US&amp;referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com%2F%23%2Fworkspace%2Fpersonal%3Fitem%3Durn%3Anewsml%3Aod2-workbench-api.abs-cbn.com%3A2026-03-03T08%3A35%3A07.562825%3A1eb1d465-ebc8-4b4c-b3f3-a2ca0943a69c%26action%3Dedit"></iframe></blockquote><script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>The tiny macaque first went viral after a heartbreaking video circulated online. In the clip, Punch is seen being pushed around by older monkeys inside the zoo. Moments later, he runs toward his oversized orangutan stuffed toy and clings to it tightly, seeking comfort. The raw vulnerability in that moment struck a chord with viewers all over the world.</p><p>What made the scene even more emotional was the revelation that Punch had been abandoned by his mother shortly after birth. Reports said she showed little interest in raising him. By the next day, zookeepers had stepped in, bottle-feeding him and beginning the delicate process of hand-raising the fragile infant.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1772528262679HBL3tTMakAMQVOf.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Punch with his IKEA orangutan stuffed toy | Photo from @ichikawa_zoo</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1772528321396HBk4D-dbkAA4pIx.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Punch with other monkeys at Ichikawa City Zoo | Photo from @ichikawa_zoo</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Punch was eventually introduced to the zoo’s <strong>“Monkey Mountain,”</strong> home to around 60 macaques, on January 19, 2026. The transition wasn’t easy. Without a maternal figure growing up, Punch initially struggled with socialization, reportedly showing “signs of anxiety and isolation.” Despite occasional ostracism from other monkeys, one keeper shared that Punch remained “mentally strong.”</p><p>As news of Punch’s journey reached the Philippines, Filipinos—known for their empathy and love for viral sensations—quickly embraced him. Among those touched by his story was “Unkabogable Star” <strong>Vice Ganda</strong>, who even flew to Japan to see Punch in person.</p><p>Sharing her excitement online, Vice wrote, “Success!!!! <em>Nakita ko na si </em>Punch!!! He looks ok.<em> Niyayakap na sya ng malalaking jungoya.</em> So happy!!!”</p><div><br/></div><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display:flex;max-width:550px;width:100%;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" style="position:static;visibility:visible;width:550px;height:249px;display:block;flex-grow:1" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-0&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=2027280770147156423&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com%2F%23%2Fworkspace%2Fpersonal%3Fitem%3Durn%3Anewsml%3Aod2-workbench-api.abs-cbn.com%3A2026-03-03T08%3A35%3A07.562825%3A1eb1d465-ebc8-4b4c-b3f3-a2ca0943a69c%26action%3Dedit&amp;sessionId=a84ac7e7635ff92ffbf45110528e25516f516d60&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&amp;width=550px" data-tweet-id="2027280770147156423"></iframe></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8"></script><div><br/></div><p>But in true Pinoy fashion, the viral moment didn’t stop at Punch. Filipino netizens soon shifted their attention to the zoo’s caretakers, who not only earned praise for their dedication but also became unexpected internet crushes.</p><p>As identified by <strong>Asian Feed, </strong>the zookeepers are <strong>Shumpei Miyakoshi</strong>, a senior keeper who supported Punch during his earliest months, and <strong>Kosuke Shikano</strong>, who worked closely with Miyakoshi in caring for the baby macaque. Together, they played a crucial role in building Punch’s trust and helping him adjust to life at the zoo. They were also the ones who introduced him to the <strong>IKEA</strong> plush orangutan toy that became his ultimate comfort item, an object that proved vital to his emotional survival.</p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1772528809108HBqkrTbaYAApGM-.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Punch&#x27;s caretakers, Shumpei Miyakoshi and Kosuke Shikano | Photo from @ichikawa_zoo</span></span></span></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Clips shared by @travel_with_basil further fueled Filipino reactions, with comments like, “<em>hay naku sana naging [unggoy] na lang ako para kay kuya</em>,” “<em>kung di pwede amponin si </em>Punch, <em>sa</em><em> </em>zookeeper <em>na lang ko magpa-ampon</em>???,” and “OMG <em>ang gwapo! </em>how much<em> ba pamasahe </em>to Japan?” flooding social media.</p><p>According to <strong>USA Today,</strong> as of February 23, 2026, the Ichikawa City Zoo reported that Punch is now playing with other monkeys and eating independently without assistance from caretakers. His viral fame has also led to a surge in zoo visitors beginning in February 2026.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1772528213672HBpHCdTbUAAbFWh.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Visitors at Ichikawa City Zoo | Photo from @ichikawa_zoo</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Lead photos from <strong>@ichikawa_zoo </strong></p>

<p>Curious about Punch the snow monkey and the zookeepers behind his viral fame? </p>