Viral Baby Monkey “Punch” Captivates Global Audience As Andrew Tate’s Brother Offers $250,000 To Buy Him
Ichikawa : A seven-month-old Japanese macaque named Punch, abandoned by his mother shortly after birth and raised by zoo staff at the Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan, has become an unlikely internet sensation after heart-tugging videos of him holding onto a stuffed orangutan toy spread worldwide. The plight of the tiny macaque, who lacked a maternal figure and found comfort in the plush toy, earned him widespread sympathy and millions of views on social media platforms.
Punch, born in July 2025, was rejected by his birth mother, leaving keepers to hand-raise him and provide round-the-clock care. In an effort to ease his distress and support his social development, zookeepers introduced a soft orangutan plush toy, which Punch quickly embraced and carried everywhere, earning the toy the affectionate nickname “Ora-mama” among fans online.
His story caught the attention of Tristan Tate, brother of controversial internet personality Andrew Tate, who took to X to post about Punch and offer $250,000 to buy the macaque from the zoo. “Which Zoo owns this monkey? @Cobratate and I will buy it … I am NOT joking,” he wrote, adding fuel to a lively debate online about animal welfare, ethics and whether removing Punch from his current environment would genuinely benefit the young monkey.
Which Zoo owns this monkey.@Cobratate and I will buy it.
250,000 dollars.
I am NOT joking. https://t.co/44UXASPwsO— Tristan Tate (@TateTheTalisman) February 19, 2026
While many social media users praised the Tates’ gesture, others questioned whether purchasing a primate from a zoo is appropriate or even legal, and cautioned against disrupting Punch’s progress with his troop and established caregivers. Authorities and animal welfare experts note that most zoos do not sell primates to private owners due to national and international wildlife protections.
Recent reports suggest that Punch has started to form bonds with other macaques at the zoo, a hopeful sign that he is adapting socially after his early struggles, even as his touching story continues to draw global attention.
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