Viral internet sensation Punch the monkey has earned a permanent place in the heart of one devoted fan, who has had the adorable ape tattooed on his chest.
Englishman Chris Holliday’s new body art, which depicts Punch and his beloved stuffed toy orangutan, has taken off on TikTok this week with nearly half-a-million views, USA Today reported.
“I saw a lot of myself in that little monkey,” he said of the Japanese macaque whose story has enchanted millions around the world.
Abandoned by his mother at birth, Punch, also known as Panchi-kun, was taken in by keepers at Japan’s Ichikawa City Zoo, who lovingly hand-raised him.
When the infant was observed struggling to make friends with other monkeys at the zoo, his keepers gave him a stuffed orangutan which he has since adopted as a surrogate mother.
Images posted to the zoo’s X account quickly went viral, with multiple memes being created, and fans flooding the zoo to get a glimpse of the new primate celebrity.
Holliday told USA Today, his decision to get a Punch tattoo came about spontaneously.
“I was just on Instagram scrolling through, as you do, and I just saw the image I got tattooed, and it instantly resonated with me,” he said.
“At the time, I didn’t even know the story, it was literally just the image.
“It just struck a massive chord with me, and as I looked into it more, I was able to relate it to my own experiences in life.”
Holliday, who was inked under his left collarbone by tattoo artist Katie Stenner at Li’l Mass Tattoo in Leamington Spa, England, revealed he had been navigating mental and physical health challenges since his recent divorce.
He said Punch inspired him to “keep on, even when the chips are down”.
“I just saw that little monkey dragging his teddy, but he had that steely determination in that pose.
“Life is hard, but he’s got his little comfort teddy, which I relate to my dogs, they’re like my comfort.”
A TikTok video of his tattoo has attracted 487,000 views, with many commenters expressing their admiration.
“Beautiful gesture,” one wrote.
“This friendship will be remembered for years,” said another.
“And the silly other bully monkeys think he’s not loved,” wrote a third, referring to recent reports that Punch had been attacked by other monkeys at Ichikawa Zoo.
Stenner told USA Today that she had received overwhelmingly positive feedback on the tattoo, with multiple people saying they were interested in receiving their own Punch tattoos as well.
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