Rejected by his mother, bullied by older monkeys and raised with a stuffed toy, Punch is now showing a softer side

It is not often that the internet collectively roots for anything. But Punch, the Japanese macaque whose early life was marked by rejection, loneliness and a stuffed orangutan he rarely let go of, managed to do just that.

The tiny monkey who once seemed to find safety only in the arms of a toy is growing up, and his latest appearance at Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Japan has offered fans a heartwarming glimpse of a new chapter. Punch has been spotted taking an interest in a younger baby macaque, a moment that has drawn attention because of how far he has come since his own difficult beginning, according to a report by PEOPLE.For those who followed his story from the beginning, the sight carries a special significance.

Not long ago, Punch was the one who needed comfort. Now, as he becomes more familiar with the other members of his troop, he is being seen approaching a much younger monkey.