Adorable IKEA Toy Sells Out After Viral Monkey Moment

Plush orangutan toy becomes coveted collectible after heartwarming story of bullied baby macaque at Japanese zoo.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An IKEA Djungelskog orangutan soft toy has sold out worldwide after becoming a viral sensation due to a heartwarming story about a bullied baby macaque named Punch at the Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan. Punch, who was rejected by his mother and other monkeys, has been clinging to the $20 plush toy for comfort, and the story has captured the hearts of people around the world. The toy is now being resold on eBay for as much as $350.

Why it matters

The story highlights the power of social media and viral moments to drive consumer demand, even for a relatively inexpensive toy. It also speaks to the emotional connection people can form with animals, especially in the face of adversity. The high resale prices on eBay demonstrate the lengths fans will go to obtain a piece of this viral phenomenon.

The details

Punch, a seven-month-old macaque at the Ichikawa City Zoo, was rejected by his mother and other monkeys in his enclosure. He was given an IKEA Djungelskog orangutan soft toy for comfort, and heartwarming photos of Punch playing with the plushie immediately went viral worldwide. This prompted the $20 toy to sell out at all IKEA stores in the US, Japan, and South Korea. Punch reportedly treats the toy like the mother he never had, sleeping, eating, and playing with it. IKEA Japan's president even visited the zoo to donate more of the plushies to Punch. The story has captured the hearts of people around the world, leading to a surge in demand and inflated resale prices on eBay, with some listings reaching as high as $350.

  • Punch, the seven-month-old macaque, was given the IKEA toy for comfort in recent weeks.
  • The toy has sold out at IKEA stores in the US, Japan, and South Korea in the past few weeks.
  • Last week, the president of IKEA Japan visited the zoo to donate more of the plushies to Punch.
  • On Tuesday, 12 of the resold IKEA toys were sold on eBay.

The players

Punch

A seven-month-old macaque at the Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan who was rejected by his mother and other monkeys in his enclosure.

Ichikawa City Zoo

The zoo in Japan where Punch, the bullied baby macaque, resides.

IKEA

The Swedish furniture and home goods retailer that produced the Djungelskog orangutan soft toy that Punch has become attached to.

Petra Fare

The President and Chief Sustainability Officer of IKEA Japan who visited the Ichikawa City Zoo to donate more of the Djungelskog orangutan plushies to Punch.

eBay seller from Allen, Texas

A shopper who appeared to stock up on 17 of the IKEA Djungelskog orangutan plushies and is now reselling them for $51.99 each on eBay.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The zoo said Punch is 'gradually deepening his interactions with the other monkeys in his group' and is 'learning every day how to live in a group as a monkey'.

The takeaway

This story highlights the power of social media and viral moments to drive consumer demand, even for a relatively inexpensive toy. It also demonstrates the emotional connection people can form with animals, especially in the face of adversity, and the lengths fans will go to obtain a piece of a viral phenomenon.