Millions of views, hours-long queues and a sold-out Ikea cuddly toy: Punch, the outcast monkey who wins hearts and makes cash registers ring

The world has been captivated for weeks by Punch, a baby monkey who was rejected by his mother, bullied by the other monkeys and then seeks comfort in the arms of a plush orangutan cuddly toy from Ikea. The hype also makes the cash registers ring. The zoo in Tokyo is experiencing long queues and the Punch cuddly toy is sold out in many countries. Sociologist Walter Weyns is not surprised that the monkey conquers so many hearts. “Just look at Disney films: a small, cute animal with big eyes is always charming.”

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