Japanese Monkey 'Panchi' Remains Popular Despite Holding Doll Less, Attracts 8 Million NTD in Donations

(CNA) Panchi, a Japanese macaque at the Ichikawa City Zoo in Chiba Prefecture, became a viral sensation on social media for frequently appearing with an orangutan doll. The city stated that as of May 24, donations from home and abroad reached approximately 43 million yen, prompting them to extend the fundraising period until the end of the year. The city plans to allocate 70 million yen in a supplementary budget to improve the monkey enclosure, including adding shade, air conditioning, and cleaning facilities. The zoo noted that Panchi now holds the doll only about once a week, suggesting he is becoming less dependent on it. The zoo staff expressed hope that he will soon stop relying on the doll, which served as a surrogate mother after he was abandoned as an infant. Videos of him playing energetically have been well-received by fans.