An orphaned baby monkey whose attachment to a stuffed toy captured hearts around the world is slowly finding acceptance among his own kind — offering a hopeful update to a story that has drawn

Legions of fans from around the world have been cheering on Punch, a 7-month-old macaque who had been struggling to socialize at a zoo outside Tokyo.

After a clip of orphaned macaque Punch being pulled by other monkeys spread online, his Japanese zoo said the behavior reflects normal social learning within the troop.

Punch, a baby Japanese macaque at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan, has gone viral online for carrying an orangutan plush toy after being abandoned by his mother. Here’s everything to know about the young monkey and his story.

IKEA is rallying behind a baby macaque in Japan who captured the world's heart with his love for a stuffed orangutan.

Caregivers say Punch has begun interacting more regularly with the troop.

Punch was abandoned by his mother shortly after birth and the zoo-keepers had to step in to care for him. First, they tried giving him rolled-over towels for warmth.