Mexican zoo's baby monkey bonds with plush companion

A newborn patas monkey named Yuji is capturing hearts at a Mexican zoo, where caretakers provided a teddy bear for comfort after its mother was unable to care for it. The adorable infant, now hand-raised by staff, has quickly become a visitor favorite for its touching bond with the plush companion.

Jose Luis Osorio, Dessire Carrion, Anna Portella/Reuters

14 April 2026 at 01:34:17

Mexican zoo's baby monkey bonds with plush companion

A screengrab photo in video showing baby monkey patas with the teddy bear.

Reuters

A baby patas monkey at a Mexican zoo has been given a stuffed teddy bear for comfort after its inexperienced mother was unable to care for it, zoo officials said.

The monkey, named Yuji, was born in early March in the western state of Jalisco, and has been in the care of the Guadalajara Zoo’s Integral Centre of Animal Medicine and Wellbeing (CIMBA).

According to zoo staff, Yuji is fed four times a day with baby formula, vitamins, and protein cereal. Visitors to the zoo have expressed delight in seeing the infant monkey clinging to his plush bear for support.

Mexican media has nicknamed the young monkey the "Tapatio Punch," drawing comparisons to a Japanese macaque that went viral earlier this year for clutching a stuffed orangutan sold by IKEA.

-Jose Luis Osorio, Dessire Carrion, Anna Portella/Reuters