From Punch the monkey to Henry the penguin: How orphaned baby animals find comfort in plush toys

In zoos and wildlife rehabilitation centers, some of the smallest residents start life without their mothers. Whether orphaned, abandoned, or hand-reared, these baby animals often struggle with stress and separation in their early days. To help them cope, caretakers sometimes introduce something surprisingly simple: a soft plush toy.

It may look small, but for a young animal adjusting to the world alone, that toy can offer comfort and a sense of security.

Born in July 2025 at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan, Punch (Panchi-kun) was abandoned by his mother shortly after birth. Zookeepers stepped in quickly, providing round-the-clock care - and a small orange plush orangutan.

Punch took to it almost immediately. He carries it while he sleeps, eats, and even when he interacts with other monkeys. When he seems nervous or gets pushed around, he holds it close.

As of February 2026, Punch is gradually integrating with the other macaques. The toy is still usually by his side, but keepers say he's becoming more confident day by day.

At the SeaLife Centre in Weymouth, Dorset, Henry the fairy penguin also had an unusual start. Removed from his mother and incubated in a hatchery, he spent his earliest days away from the usual nesting environment.

While waiting for his sibling to hatch, caretakers placed a small plush penguin beside him. The toy served as a companion during the hand-rearing stage, helping him adjust and feel less alone.

Punch and Henry aren't exceptions. In rehabilitation centers, orphaned orangutans are often given soft toys to hold onto, echoing the close contact they would normally have with their mothers. Rescued wombats and joey kangaroos are sometimes wrapped in blankets or given small stuffed animals to recreate the feeling of a pouch.

These plush companions aren't meant to replace a mother. But they can ease stress, encourage natural behaviors, and provide a small but meaningful source of comfort during a vulnerable stage of life.

Sometimes, something as ordinary as a soft toy can make those early days a little easier.