A heartwarming gesture from IKEA Japan has captured global attention: the company donated dozens of plush toys to Ichikawa City Zoo in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, to comfort a baby Japanese macaque named Punch.
The move came after Punch, a 7-month-old monkey abandoned by his mother at birth on July 26, 2025, went viral for clinging to an IKEA Djungelskog stuffed orangutan plushie as his emotional support companion.
Videos of Punch dragging the toy around the enclosure and using it for comfort exploded online in early February 2026, melting hearts worldwide. The Djungelskog orangutan became his “Ora-mama” (orangutan mama), helping him cope with isolation and aiding socialization efforts by zookeepers.
When the story reached IKEA, the brand acted swiftly: on February 17, 2026, IKEA Japan President Petra Färe personally visited the zoo alongside Ichikawa City Mayor Ko Tanaka to deliver multiple replacement Djungelskog orangutans and other soft toys for Punch and the zoo’s animals.
The donation ensured Punch always has a comforting friend, while the viral fame boosted sales of the $20 plush toy, leading to sell-outs in some regions and resale prices soaring to $350 on secondary markets. IKEA issued a statement noting increased demand and restocking efforts, calling it a “little extra love” from Punch’s story.
The initiative highlights IKEA’s community spirit and clever, authentic branding, turning a viral animal moment into positive PR without forced selling. Fans praised it as wholesome and thoughtful, with comments like “Best marketing ever” and “Punch deserves all the plushies.”
In a world full of negativity, IKEA Japan’s donation reminds us how small acts of kindness (and a cuddly toy) can bring joy to both animals and people.
