IT'S A BOY! 🎉 New Baby at Ichikawa Zoo

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Welcome, Chimi!

Punch-kun's little brother has arrived! Born to the same mama who captured the world's heart — meet the newest member of Ichikawa City Zoo's most famous family 💕

Their Story 📖 Visit the Zoo 🗺️

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The Story So Far 🧸

How a tiny abandoned monkey and his stuffed orangutan captured the world

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Punch-kun's Journey

Born on July 26, 2025, little Punch was abandoned by his mother right after birth. Zookeepers hand-raised him with love and bottle-feeding.

When Punch struggled to socialize with other macaques, the keepers gave him an orangutan plushie — and he instantly adopted it as his "Oran-Mama" 🧸

His story went viral with #がんばれパンチ (#HangInTherePunch), drawing visitors from all over Japan and beyond.

🎉 And now, his mama has given birth to a new baby boy — Chimi!

Meet Chimi 🍼

The newest, tiniest star of Ichikawa City Zoo

Chimi is the new baby boy born to Punch's mother at Ichikawa City Zoo. While big brother Punch was raised by loving zookeepers and his trusty orangutan plushie, everyone is watching closely to see if mama will raise Chimi herself this time. The whole zoo is rooting for this little family! 🥹

Name

Chimi 🐒

Sex

Boy 💙

Species

Japanese Macaque 🇯🇵

Big Brother

Punch 🥊

Home

Ichikawa Zoo 🏡

Status

Brand New! ✨

The Family 💕

The most famous monkey family in Japan

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Mama

The Mother

She abandoned Punch at birth, but now she has a second chance with Chimi. The whole world is watching and hoping. 🤞

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Punch

Big Brother & Viral Star

Hand-raised by zookeepers, best friends with his orangutan plushie "Oran-Mama." The monkey that made millions cry. 🥹

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Chimi

The New Baby ⭐

Just arrived! Tiny, precious, and already the center of attention. Welcome to the world, little one! 🌟

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Oran-Mama

Honorary Family Member

The orangutan plushie that became Punch's surrogate mother. IKEA even donated 33 friends! An icon. 🧡

Timeline 📅

From heartbreak to hope — the full story

July 26, 2025

Punch Is Born

A baby macaque is born at Ichikawa City Zoo — but his mother shows no interest in raising him.

July 27, 2025

Rescue & Hand-Raising

Zookeepers step in immediately, bottle-feeding Punch and caring for him around the clock.

January 19, 2026

Joining Monkey Mountain

Punch is introduced to the 60+ macaques on Monkey Mountain. He struggles at first but proves "mentally strong."

February 2026

Oran-Mama Arrives

Keepers give Punch an orangutan plushie. He instantly clings to it as a surrogate mother. The internet melts.

February 5, 2026

Going Viral

#がんばれパンチ (#HangInTherePunch) explodes online. "Huge lines" form outside the zoo. Global media coverage.

February 17, 2026

IKEA's Gift

IKEA visits the zoo and donates 33 stuffed toys to Punch. The internet collectively says "aww." 🥹

February 2026

Chimi Is Born!

Punch's mother gives birth again — a healthy baby boy named Chimi! A new chapter begins. Will she be a good mama this time? 💕

Fun Facts 🧠

Cool things about Japanese macaques!

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Hot Spring Lovers

Japanese macaques are famous for bathing in hot springs during winter. They're called "Snow Monkeys"!

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Northernmost Primates

They live further north than any other non-human primate — surviving freezing Japanese winters!

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Super Smart

They wash sweet potatoes in the ocean before eating — a behavior passed down through generations!

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Strong Social Bonds

They live in tight-knit groups and groom each other to strengthen friendships. Family is everything!

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Snowball Players

Young macaques have been observed making and playing with snowballs — just for fun!

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Diverse Diet

They eat fruits, seeds, leaves, insects, and even tree bark. Baby Chimi starts with mama's milk!

Come Visit! 🏡

Meet Chimi, Punch, and Oran-Mama in person

Ichikawa City Zoo 🌿

Located in Chiba Prefecture, just outside Tokyo. Come see the most famous monkey family in Japan!

Hours

9:30 — 16:30

Location

Chiba, Japan 🇯🇵

Plan Your Visit 🗺️