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IN PHOTOS: As Punch, Japan's viral monkey turns one, visitors throng zoo to see him

Updated On: 24 July, 2026 01:16 PM IST | Nascimento Pinto

A year after he was abandoned by his mother, vistors are extremely excited to see Japan's viral monkey 'Punch' turning one year old, at the Ichikawa City Zoo. Here are some glimpses from the celebrations

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Punch, the Japanese macaque monkey, went viral in 2025 after he was spotted with his soft toy. Photo Courtesy: PTI
Punch, the Japanese macaque monkey, went viral in 2025 after he was spotted with his soft toy. Photo Courtesy: PTI
02
Visitors come to see the almost one-year-old male Japanese macaque monkey named 'Punch', who was abandoned by his mother shortly after birth at Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Ichikawa on July 24

Visitors come to see the almost one-year-old male Japanese macaque monkey named 'Punch', who was abandoned by his mother shortly after birth at Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Ichikawa on July 24

03
A visitor carrying stuffed monkey toys comes to see the Japanese macaque monkey named 'Punch', a year after he went viral at Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Ichikawa, on July 24

A visitor carrying stuffed monkey toys comes to see the Japanese macaque monkey named 'Punch', a year after he went viral at Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Ichikawa, on July 24

04
Visitors place birthday messages on a wall at the zoo for the almost one-year-old male Japanese macaque monkey

Visitors place birthday messages on a wall at the zoo for the almost one-year-old male Japanese macaque monkey

05
A stuffed orangutan toy, which the Japanese macaque monkey named 'Punch' used to play with, is seen at Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Ichikawa on July 24. After the toy went viral, IKEA reportedly donated the stuffed toy to help the monkey cope with the abandonment

A stuffed orangutan toy, which the Japanese macaque monkey named 'Punch' used to play with, is seen at Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Ichikawa on July 24. After the toy went viral, IKEA reportedly donated the stuffed toy to help the monkey cope with the abandonment

06
Amid messages by fans and visitors, the wall of birthday messages for the almost one-year-old male Japanese macaque monkey named 'Punch', is full, as more people come to the viral animal

Amid messages by fans and visitors, the wall of birthday messages for the almost one-year-old male Japanese macaque monkey named 'Punch', is full, as more people come to the viral animal

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