It’s the viral story that has simultaneously broken hearts and empty store shelves across the globe. Punch the Macaque, a tiny, abandoned snow monkey at Japan’s Ichikawa City Zoo, has become the face of an unlikely retail phenomenon. After emotional footage of the seven-month-old primate clinging to an IKEA DJUNGELSKOG orangutan as a surrogate mother swept through social media, the $20 plushie has vanished from inventory worldwide. With resale prices now eclipsing $350 and fans queuing for hours to glimpse the resilient infant, Punch isn’t just a zoo attraction—he’s the biggest viral sensation of 2026.

The Heartbreaking Story of Punch the Macaque

Born on July 25, 2025, Punch’s life began with immediate hardship. Rejected by his mother shortly after birth—a rare but often fatal occurrence in Japanese macaque society—he was left vulnerable and alone. Zookeepers at the Ichikawa City Zoo in Chiba Prefecture stepped in to hand-rear the infant, saving his life but leaving him without the crucial maternal figure needed to navigate the complex social hierarchy of the troop.

In a stroke of brilliance that would eventually captivate the internet, keepers introduced a soft, orange substitute: an IKEA DJUNGELSKOG orangutan. The plush toy, with its long fur and graspable limbs, offered the tactile comfort Punch desperately craved. He took to it immediately.

"He sleeps with it, eats with it, and drags it everywhere," said lead keeper Kosuke Shikano in a statement to local press. "For Punch, that orange fur isn't just a toy; it's the safety he never had."

IKEA DJUNGELSKOG Viral Madness: Sold Out Globally

The IKEA DJUNGELSKOG viral trend ignited earlier this week when videos surfaced of Punch navigating the zoo's "Monkey Mountain." In the clips, the tiny macaque is seen hauling his battered, dirt-stained orangutan around the enclosure, retreating to its fuzzy embrace whenever older monkeys hiss or swat at him. The imagery struck a nerve, accumulating tens of millions of views on TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) under the hashtag #HangInTherePunch.

The commercial impact was instantaneous. Within 48 hours, the DJUNGELSKOG orangutan sold out in IKEA stores across Japan, the United States, South Korea, and Singapore. The Swedish furniture giant, usually known for flat-pack bookcases, found itself at the center of a stuffed animal shortage reminiscent of the Beanie Baby craze.

Resale Prices Skyrocket on eBay

As desperation to own the "Punch-approved" companion grows, the secondary market has exploded. A quick search reveals the IKEA orangutan resale price hitting staggering highs. While the toy retails for a modest $19.99, frantic buyers are paying upwards of $200, with some listings in the U.S. reaching $350 for a single plushie. Listings often bear titles like "Punch the Monkey Comfort Toy" or "Sold Out Viral Macaque Plush," capitalizing on the emotional connection buyers feel to the story.

Viral Monkey Video 2026: The Truth Behind the 'Bullying'

While the sight of Punch clinging to his toy is adorable, some of the viral monkey video 2026 footage has sparked concern. One particularly widely shared clip shows Punch being dragged across the concrete by an adult female macaque while he clutches his plushie. Viewers expressed outrage, calling for the zoo to intervene.

However, primate experts argue that what looks like bullying is actually a critical part of social integration. Japanese macaques live in strict, hierarchical troops. Because Punch lacks a biological mother to defend him, he must learn his place in the pecking order the hard way.

"If we intervene and remove him every time things get rough, he will never learn the social cues necessary to survive in the troop," the zoo explained in a candid social media update. "He is resilient. He gets knocked down, but he always gets back up—and he has his orangutan for comfort when he does."

IKEA's Heartwarming Response

IKEA has embraced its unexpected role in Punch’s survival story. In a move that garnered even more goodwill, IKEA Japan CEO Petra Fare visited the Ichikawa City Zoo personally on February 17. She didn't come empty-handed, donating 33 additional DJUNGELSKOG orangutans to ensure Punch and other animals would never be without a companion.

The retailer also launched a reactive marketing campaign that has been praised for its tone. Global ads featuring the now-famous plushie run with the tagline: "Sometimes, family is who we find along the way." It’s a sentiment that resonates deeply with the millions following Punch’s journey from abandoned orphan to global icon.

The World Watches #HangInTherePunch

The saga of Punch the Macaque is far from over. Visitor numbers at the Ichikawa City Zoo have quadrupled, with lines forming hours before opening. Fans from as far away as Texas and London are tuning in daily for updates on his integration.

For now, Punch seems to be turning a corner. Recent videos show him being groomed by other young monkeys—a massive sign of acceptance. But even as he makes real friends, he hasn't let go of his first one. At night, he still curls up with his battered IKEA orangutan, a $20 toy that became a lifeline for a lonely monkey and a symbol of resilience for the rest of the world.