Punch The Monkey update: IKEA’s $20 orangutan toy sells out at all US, Japan stores after heartbreaking viral moment, now selling at 10x original cost

The story of Punch, the baby macaque, has captivated the world. Punch-kun was reportedly born in July 2025 but was abandoned by his mother shortly after birth and he found companionship with an oversized stuffed orangutan. Viral baby monkey Punch's orangutan plush toy has officially sold out in multiple countries and what is surprising is that the re-sale prices are now skyrocketing to more than ten times its original cost. According to The New York Post, Ingvar Kamprad Elmtaryd Agunnaryd (IKEA), the world's largest furniture retailer, has sold out of its Djungelskog orangutan soft toy, with the $20 item now fetching more than 10 times the retail price on eBay. The toy was sold out at all IKEA stores in the US, Japan and South Korea after heartwarming pictures of Punch playing with the orangutan immediately went viral worldwide.

Punch, a seven-month-old macaque, was given one of the IKEA toys for comfort after both his mother and other monkeys rejected him in his enclosure. Local reports suggest that Punch-kun, as he is affectionately known, treats the toy like the mother he never had. He sleeps with it, at with it and also spent time playing with it. The attachment to the stuffed animal reportedly not only surprised staff at the zoo but has captured the hearts of people across Japan and the world.

Viral baby monkey Punch's plush toy sells out globally

According to The Post, the viral $20 (Rs 1817) IKEA Djungelskog orangutan stuffed toy has become a highly sought-after collectible after being linked to Punch, a seven-month-old macaque at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan. The report suggests that last week, Petra Fare, President and Chief Sustainability Officer of IKEA Japan, visited Ichikawa City Zoo to donate several replacement Djungelskog orangutan soft toys to Punch, ensuring he would always have a cuddly companion.


ALSO READ: From McRib nuggets to Korean sauces: McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski reveals how he uses Google Gemini, AI tools to revamp menu ideas

The heartwarming gesture appears to have sparked a surge in demand online, with fans quickly clearing out stocks of the plush toy at the Swedish retailer. In Allen, Texas, one enterprising buyer reportedly purchased 17 of the soft toys and is now reselling them on eBay for $51.99 each. Despite the markup, demand remains strong — 12 were sold on Tuesday alone. One Djungelskog orangutan plush has even been listed for as much as $350.

On the other hand, thousands of tourists have also been flocking to the zoo to catch a glimpse of Punch and his punch toy. Long queues have formed outside the enclosure, with management saying it’s “something we have never experienced before.’

One person took to X saying: “It is cute to see the little monkey dragging the stuffed animal around but it is very sad at the same time.”

The zoo said Punch is “gradually deepening his interactions with the other monkeys in his group”.

“He has a variety of experiences every day, such as being groomed, messing around with them, and being scolded, and he is learning every day how to live in a group as a monkey!”

Punch The Monkey story explained

After Punch The Monkey was abandoned by his mother, caretakers at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan stepped in to rescue and hand-raise him. They gradually introduced him to other macaques but he was struggling to integrate into the group. The monkey got so attached to the plush toy that it became a social media sensation.

ALSO READ: ‘Karma is real’: Elon Musk’s cryptic message to Bill Gates after X post on Tesla short sellers goes viral

It’s common for monkeys to cling to their mothers from birth – so to help combat his anxiety and assist with his loneliness. Images of Punch with the toy have since gone viral, melting hearts online.

Huge lines have also formed at the zoo as locals and tourists alike swarm to get a glimpse of Punch, expressing their well-wishes and cheering him on. “We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who visited us today,” the zoo said in a statement on February 15.

“All of our staff were surprised by the unexpected turnout, something we have never experienced before. “We would like to apologize for the delay in getting you through the gate. We will continue to prepare for next week’s three-day weekend so that you can enjoy your visit in comfort.”

In a separate post, the zoo said Punch is “gradually deepening his interactions with the other monkeys in his group”.

“He has a variety of experiences every day, such as being groomed, messing around with them, and being scolded, and he is learning every day how to live in a group as a monkey!”