Phoenix Zoo Gives Siamang Plush Toy for Enrichment

The zoo shared a video of a 4-year-old siamang named Bodie playing with a stuffed orangutan toy, similar to the one that went viral for a baby Japanese macaque.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The Phoenix Zoo posted a video on social media showing one of their siamangs, a 4-year-old named Bodie, being given a plush toy similar to the one that went viral for a baby Japanese macaque named Punch at a zoo in Japan. While Bodie doesn't need the toy as a companion, the zoo provided it as a form of behavioral enrichment to encourage natural behaviors like problem-solving and social skills.

Why it matters

The video of Punch the baby macaque clinging to a plush toy after being abandoned by his mother sparked widespread interest and discussion about animal welfare and enrichment practices in zoos. The Phoenix Zoo's decision to provide a similar toy to one of their own primates demonstrates how zoos are responding to these trends and trying to meet the behavioral needs of their animals.

The details

In the video, the Phoenix Zoo's 4-year-old siamang, Bodie, is shown playing with a stuffed orangutan toy. The zoo stated that while Bodie doesn't require the toy as a companion, they provided it as a form of behavioral enrichment to encourage natural behaviors like problem-solving and social skills. Behavioral enrichment is an important aspect of animal care in zoos, and can take many forms, from food puzzles to large toys.

  • The Phoenix Zoo posted the video of Bodie with the plush toy on February 26, 2026.
  • The viral videos of Punch the baby Japanese macaque clinging to a plush toy were first shared in January 2026.

The players

Bodie

A 4-year-old siamang at the Phoenix Zoo who was given a plush toy for behavioral enrichment.

Punch-kun

A 7-month-old baby Japanese macaque at the Ichikawa City Zoological and Botanical Garden in Japan whose viral videos of him clinging to a plush toy sparked interest in animal enrichment practices.

Ichikawa City Zoological and Botanical Garden

The zoo in Japan where Punch the baby Japanese macaque lives and where the viral videos of him with a plush toy were recorded.

Phoenix Zoo

The zoo in Phoenix, Arizona that shared a video of one of their siamangs, Bodie, playing with a plush toy similar to the one Punch the macaque had.

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What they’re saying

“Providing a stuffed toy and towels to hold onto not only simulates clinging to a mother but also prevents excessive dependence on humans.”

— Ichikawa City Zoological and Botanical Garden (X)

“Behavioral enrichment (BE) is a necessary aspect of the basic care for animals in Zoo settings. Depending on the animal, the BE can be provided in various forms, ranging from carcasses to rhino-sized tires to paper bags filled with their daily diet. Depending on the form of BE provided, our keepers can encourage specific natural habits such as hunting and foraging, problem-solving, social skills and more!”

— Phoenix Zoo (Instagram)

What’s next

The Phoenix Zoo has not indicated any specific next steps related to Bodie or the plush toy enrichment program. The video appears to be part of the zoo's ongoing efforts to provide behavioral enrichment for their animals.

The takeaway

The Phoenix Zoo's decision to provide a plush toy to one of their siamangs demonstrates how zoos are responding to trends and public interest in animal welfare by finding creative ways to meet the behavioral needs of their animals through enrichment activities. This approach helps promote natural behaviors and prevent excessive dependence on human interaction.