Still thinking of Punch the monkey? Ichikawa Zoo just extended its donation deadline for him

Seems like the world still can't get enough Punch. The Japanese macaque and his iconic stuffed orangutan first stole the hearts of viewers worldwide earlier this year, racking up millions of hits across social media. The adorable monkey became so popular that Ichikawa Zoo, Punch's home just over an hour from Tokyo, began accepting donations for him in mid-March.

Since then, the zoo has raised a staggering ¥43 million from Punch lovers worldwide. The fundraising campaign has been such a success that the original May 31 deadline to submit donations has been extended significantly. You now have until December 31 to offer Punch your monetary support.

The funds are intended for the maintenance of Monkey Mountain, where Punch and the other macaques reside. Some of the planned upgrades reportedly include expanding the monkeys' enclosure, plus installing sunshades and air conditioning.

If you'd like to donate, you can find the bilingual guide on Ichikawa Zoo's website.

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