The ‘IKEA Mother’ and the $250k Offer: Inside the Global Frenzy Over Punch the Monkey
As of February 25, 2026, the most famous resident of Japan isn’t a pop star or a politician—it’s a 2-kilogram baby Japanese macaque named Punch.
Abandoned by his mother shortly after his birth on July 26, 2025, Punch’s story has transcended the walls of the Ichikawa City Zoo. What began as a zookeeper’s creative solution for a lonely infant has turned into a global case study in digital empathy, retail mania, and the universal need for comfort.
The Toy That Became a ‘Mama’
When Punch’s mother rejected him—likely due to the exhaustion of a record-breaking summer heatwave—zookeepers struggled to find a way to provide the physical “cling” necessary for a baby monkey’s development. After trying towels and even a stuffed giraffe, they found the IKEA Djungelskog—a long-armed, $19.99 stuffed orangutan.
Punch didn’t just like the toy; he claimed it. He uses its long arms to build muscle strength, just as he would with a real mother’s fur. Now known to fans as “Oran-Mama,” the toy has become Punch’s permanent shadow, even as he begins the daunting task of joining the 60-strong macaque troop on “Monkey Mountain.”
The $250,000 Offer
Punch’s fame has reached such heights that it has attracted unwanted attention from the ultra-wealthy. This week, influencer Tristan Tate reportedly made a public offer of $250,000 to purchase the monkey from the zoo.
The zoo’s response has been a firm and silent “no.” Officials reiterated that Punch is a wild animal undergoing a delicate social integration process, not a “viral pet” for the highest bidder.
The ‘IKEA Effect’ and Global Shortages
The most bizarre byproduct of Punch’s fame is the sudden global shortage of the Djungelskog orangutan.
Sell-outs: IKEA stores in Japan, the US, and South Korea have reported “unprecedented” demand, with the toy disappearing from shelves within hours of new stock arriving.
Resale Market: On sites like eBay, the $20 toy is currently fetching upwards of $100 to $300.
Corporate Support: On February 17, IKEA Japan officially stepped in, donating 33 replacement toys and storage items to the zoo to ensure Punch and his future playmates never have to go without their “soft toy friends.”
The Road to Belonging
While the internet obsesses over his cuteness, the real work is happening on the ground in Ichikawa. After moving into the “Monkey Mountain” enclosure in late January, Punch has hit several major milestones:
Grooming: He was recently spotted being groomed by a female troop member—the highest form of social “acceptance.”
The ‘Scolding’ Lesson: The zoo recently had to explain a viral video of an adult monkey dragging Punch. Rather than “bullying,” the zoo clarified this is normal social discipline—the adult was likely protecting her own infant, and Punch is learning the rules of “monkey etiquette” the hard way.
