Japan Zoo Sees 6,000 Visitors in One Day as Punch Keeps Making Friends

Meet Punch-kun

What began as a quiet zoo update has now turned into one of Japan’s most closely followed animal stories.

On Sunday, February 22, Ichikawa City Zoo welcomed more than 6,000 visitors. The following day, attendance reached approximately 5,200. Parking lots filled before mid-morning. Entry lines stretched up to two hours. By 3:00 p.m., staff began restricting admission to protect both guests and animals.

The zoo posted steady updates throughout the three-day holiday weekend, asking visitors not to arrive by car, warning of congestion, and apologizing for wait times. Staff increased ticket counters and adjusted line management, but the turnout exceeded expectations. Through it all, the zoo’s tone remained calm and transparent. Their priority was clear: Protect the animals first.

Photo: Courtesy of Ichikawa City Zoo (@ichikawa_zoo via X)

What Keepers Say About Punch

The most meaningful updates came directly from the zookeepers.

On February 23, a keeper shared that there were no scenes of Punch being scolded that day and that he was observed playing with the other baby monkeys. During mealtime, he climbed down from the keeper’s foot on his own and began eating independently. The report ended simply: he continues to do well.

That independence matters. Earlier in his reintegration, Punch often lingered close to staff during feeding. Now he is choosing to descend and eat with the troop.

The day before, on February 22, keepers acknowledged that Punch had been scolded in the evening, but there were no injuries. By around 5:00 p.m., two monkeys were seen carefully grooming him. Grooming in macaque groups is not random affection. It signals trust and social acceptance. Being groomed by multiple monkeys suggests that Punch is not merely tolerated. He is being incorporated.

Photo: Courtesy of Ichikawa City Zoo (@ichikawa_zoo via X)

The zoo has also clarified that occasional scolding is expected. In their official statement regarding the viral dragging video, they explained that Punch has been scolded many times before while learning how to socialize within the troop. No single monkey has shown serious aggression toward him. They emphasized his resilience and encouraged observers to support his effort rather than feel sorry for him.

Moments captured on video can feel definitive. But for the keepers watching daily, this is a gradual process. Punch is not being cast out. He is learning the rules.

Oran Mama and Reintegration

One of the keepers also shared a bit more about Punch’s comfort routine, and it is both practical and unexpectedly tender. He has two plush surrogate toys, affectionately nicknamed “Oran Mama” by fans online. The one he sleeps with each night is washed every morning, and after a recent donation from IKEA Japan, he now has eleven in total waiting in rotation.

He still turns to Oran Mama when he is tired or needs reassurance, but he is no longer inseparable from it. Even indoors, he spends stretches of time with the other monkeys without his plush nearby. When he does decide to bring it outside, he drags it from the innermost room through several connecting spaces before reaching the enclosure. For a small macaque, that is no small task, and keepers say the effort itself says something about how much comfort it provides.

His biological mother is still part of the troop, though there is no maternal recognition between them. Instead, another adult female has frequently kept a watchful eye on Punch, stepping in as he navigates the group and learns the social rhythm around him.

The zoo has also pointed out that male macaques often move between groups, while females typically remain within their family lines. Since Punch is male, this period of adjustment may be less unusual than it appears in viral clips. What looks dramatic in a few seconds of video may simply be the slow, ordinary work of finding one’s place.

Photo: Courtesy of Ichikawa City Zoo (@ichikawa_zoo via X)

Calm on Monkey Mountain

Despite the surge in visitors, keepers consistently described the atmosphere around Monkey Mountain as calm. Restricted viewing zones were established to reduce stress, and guests were asked to follow a 10-minute viewing rule. Staff thanked visitors for their quiet observation and cooperation.

Photo: Courtesy of Ichikawa City Zoo (@ichikawa_zoo via X)

A Country Watching Closely

Meanwhile, the emotional investment online hasn’t slowed down.

“I follow Punch updates more than the Olympics… it’s really so serious,” one user wrote on X.

Another admitted, “Feeling like a parent getting photo updates from pre-school every time a new Punch update comes in. 🥲”

It sounds dramatic, but it also feels strangely relatable. People who have never set foot in Ichikawa are checking crowd reports before planning visits. Fans overseas refresh the zoo’s account daily, waiting for the next small update about grooming, feeding, or play. The zoo, for its part, has responded with steady, almost tender transparency, offering reassurance in real time. And tone online has shifted from alarm to cautious relief.

Screenshot: @JarettSays via X

Where Things Stand Now

As of February 23, Punch is:

• Playing with other baby monkeys


• Eating independently during feeding time


• Being groomed by multiple troop members


• Experiencing occasional, non-injurious scolding consistent with social learning


• Continuing to use his plush surrogate primarily for sleep and comfort

The zoo’s closing message over the weekend was simple. Please warmly watch over Punch and the other members of Monkey Mountain.

For now, the signs are steady and encouraging. Grooming has become more frequent, play is easier to spot, and the scolding that once worried viewers appears less constant. The small monkey who first captured the internet’s heart by sitting alone with his stuffed orangutan is now more often seen sitting among his troop, participating in the quiet, everyday rhythm of group life.

The process is not finished, but it is unfolding, step by step, in the right direction.

Photo: Courtesy of Ichikawa City Zoo (@ichikawa_zoo via X)

Whether your next trip takes you to Japan to see him in person, or simply to IKEA to pick up a small orange orangutan of your own, Punch-kun and his plush companion have already traveled much farther than anyone expected.

And for this week at least, that feels like enough.

FAQ: Punch-kun Update

Is Punch still being bullied?


Keepers report that occasional scolding still happens, which is normal as a young macaque learns the social rules of the troop. However, no injuries have been reported, and recent updates note no scolding observed on February 23. Grooming and play behavior have increased.

Is Punch being accepted by the other monkeys?


Yes. He has been seen playing with other baby monkeys and has been carefully groomed by multiple troop members, including senior monkeys. Grooming is an important sign of social acceptance in macaque groups.

Is Punch eating on his own?


According to the February 23 keeper report, Punch came down from the keeper’s foot on his own during feeding time and began eating independently, a positive sign of growing confidence within the troop.

Does Punch still carry the stuffed orangutan?


Yes. He continues to use his plush surrogate, especially when sleeping or seeking comfort. However, he is increasingly spending time interacting with other monkeys without constantly clinging to it.

How many plush “Oran Mamas” does Punch have now?


Thanks to a donation from IKEA Japan, Punch now has eleven plush surrogates. The one used overnight is washed every morning.

Are crowds still large at Ichikawa City Zoo?


Yes. Over 6,000 visitors attended on February 22 and more than 5,000 on February 23. Entry restrictions and parking closures were implemented to manage congestion and reduce stress on the animals.

Where is Ichikawa City Zoo located?


Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Gardens is located in Ichikawa, Chiba Prefecture, just outside Tokyo, Japan.