Abandoned by his mother and spurned by some peers, the young macaque shot to stardom after he was seen clinging to a plush orangutan toy from IKEA for comfort at Ichikawa City Zoo outside Tokyo.In February, the zoo started releasing social media video posts about Punch's clumsy efforts to join his troop, spawning a dedicated fanbase under the hashtag #HangInTherePunch.
Baby monkey Punch, who will turn one, is growing well and in good health, a zoo official says © Philip FONG / AFP
He is growing well, in good health and is now playing with others, zoo official Takashi Yasunaga told AFP on Friday."He is less and less turning to the orangutan doll. He is communicating with other animals and playing with other baby monkeys," he said."He is building his position as a member of the group."The zoo, which previously saw at most a few hundred visitors a day, became a hotspot for thousands of local and international fans.The facility has also been inundated with calls and emails -- some praising its efforts but many others criticising how Punch is kept.Ahead of Sunday, some 2,500 birthday cards from around the world were put on display.
Thousands of local and international fans flocked to Ichikawa City Zoo outside Tokyo due to Punch's celebrity © Philip FONG / AFP
