Cover Punch, the baby macaque, plays with his emotional support plushie (Photo: David Mareuil/Anadolu/Getty Images)
Punch, the baby macaque, plays with his emotional support plushie (Photo: David Mareuil/Anadolu/Getty Images)
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Punch or Panchi-kun and Aloka, the Peace Dog, are just a couple of Internet superstars who are healing everyone’s collective trauma, and yes, maybe even the timeline
Punch, the adorable baby macaque in Ichikawa City Zoo, has the whole Internet in a chokehold. People can’t get enough videos and photos of—and updates on—the little guy and his emotional support plushie. Abandoned at birth and struggling to find his place in the zoo’s macaque troop, his story is the stuff of Pixar movies. It resonates with anyone who has ever longed for love and acceptance, which is to say everyone.
But he’s not the only viral animal that has caught the attention of the Internet and the world. There’s Tiki, arguably the most famous foster dog, and Moo Deng, the sassy pygmy hippo. Yes, they’re undeniably adorable—but beyond triggering cuteness aggression, they’ve also brought light to people’s days across the globe.
In case you missed it: Happy birthday, Moo Deng: 5 life lessons from internet’s beloved It girl
Punch/Panchi-kun
2/22(日)のサル山の様子
— 市川市動植物園（公式） (@ichikawa_zoo) February 22, 2026
飼育員「皆さんのマナーのおかげで、静かな感じで特にケンカ等はありませんでした。パンチは17頃、2頭のサルに念入りに毛づくろいされるなど、群れに着実になじんできています」#市川市動植物園#がんばれパンチ pic.twitter.com/EyjV0rpvPv
Punch or Panchi-kun, a Japanese baby macaque in Ichikawa City Zoo, is the latest animal to steal the Internet’s heart. Abandoned by his mother at birth and raised by zookeepers, he has found comfort in an Ikea Djungelskog orangutan plushie.
Videos of him clinging to the emotional support toy as he tries to integrate with the macaque troop at the zoo have gone viral, tugging at everyone’s heartstrings. It has prompted Ikea Japan to donate more plushies than Punch will probably ever need, and has brought in more visitors eager to catch a glimpse of him.
It hasn’t been easy for Punch, who has faced rejection and, sometimes, harsh scolding from the older macaques. The zookeepers, who have acted as his stand-in parents, assure everyone that this is all part of the process and encourage supporters to root for him rather than feel sorry for the little monkey.
Fortunately, things have started looking up for everyone’s favourite baby macaque. Recent videos show adult monkeys grooming and even hugging him, while Punch himself has grown more confident, making friends and gradually spending less time with his stuffy. His resilience and bravery, despite the rejection he has faced, have resonated deeply with people around the globe, who are all rooting for him to succeed.
See more: From wombats to capybaras: Where to go to see cute animals in the wild
Aloka, the Peace Dog
When a group of Buddhist monks from the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Centre went on a walk for peace from Texas to Washington, DC last October, they were joined by a seasoned member of their group—Aloka, the Peace Dog.
A stray dog the monks adopted after it had joined them on a similar walk in India in 2022, Aloka has become a symbol for peace. He sports a distinct heart-shaped marking on his forehead and is often seen wearing a “Walk for Peace” bandana.
For his health and safety, he receives regular breaks from the long walks, hitching a ride in the support vehicle—though he clearly prefers to stay by the monks’ side. Despite being hit by a car in India and later undergoing orthopaedic surgery in North Carolina, he has persevered. His loyalty and determination have won the admiration of those he has met along the way, as well as people around the world who have heard his remarkable story.
Tiki
@simonsits Tiki is officially available for adoption. If you’re interested in being Tiki’s forever family, you can find his adoption profile in our bio 🥹❤️ @Muddy Paws Rescue @ASPCA ♬ Run Away with Me - Louis Island
When Isabel Klee took on the challenge of helping Tiki heal, she brought her followers along for the ride. Chroncling his healing journey from an “extremely fearful and shut down foster dog” on day one to an “extremely brave and inspiring foster dog” by day 44 has been rewarding for Klee, Tiki and her followers.
Tiki’s story was so inspiring that millions tuned in for daily updates, and news outlets, from People to NBC News, reported on it. All the attention also shone a light on the plight of foster dogs everywhere.
Today, Tiki is living with his adoptive family and is thriving. He is learning how to be a dog, and his canine siblings are teaching him how to howl, play nice and be part of a pack. Tiki’s transformation has been nothing short of miraculous and is a testament to how love and patience—and plenty of cheese—can heal even the most broken spirits.
Nazgul
Above Nazgul crossed the finish line of the cross-country skiing event of the Winter Olympics (Photo: @olympics/Instagram)
Nazgul crossed the finish line of the cross-country skiing event of the Winter Olympics (Photo: @olympics/Instagram)
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If you’ve been tuning in to the Winter Olympics, chances are you’ve heard the news about a dog crossing the finish line of the cross-country skiing event with a couple of Olympians. The dog in question is Nazgul, a two-year-old Czechoslovakian Wolfdog who escaped from his kennel while his family was away watching the biathlon event.
He may be a Wolfdog, but he brought big Golden Retriever energy to the Olympics, something that delighted viewers and had Reddit petitioning for him to receive an honorary gold medal.
Moo Deng
Before Punch, there was the adorable Moo Deng, a baby pygmy hippopotamus born in Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand. Everything about her, from her name—which translates to “bouncy pork”—and feisty attitude to her meme-able antics and dewy skin, made her an Internet superstar. In 2024, Moo Deng was so famous that Bowen Yang played her on SNL, and her likeness inspired a wave of merchandise.
In a world where people are seeking comfort, safety and community, Punch’s journey speaks to people on a personal level. Tiki’s bravery and Aloka’s determination mirror their own, while Nazgul’s carefree attitude and Moo Deng’s sass remind people of their childlike innocence.
Punch’s journey is only beginning, and many are hoping he understands the depth of support behind him.
Maggie Adan is a content writer, editor, and strategist with extensive experience across print, digital, and social media publishing. Formerly editor-in-chief at K-Zone Philippines, Summit Books and Content Lab, she has written lifestyle stories covering everything from entertainment and travel to beauty and wellness. A storyteller at heart with a keen editorial eye and a passion for narrative, she contributes to various publications and helps brands create and curate content for their social media platforms.
