An adorable baby koala named Rafa is melting hearts online after a video showed him clinging tightly to his favorite stuffed toy — just like another viral animal star, Punch the baby monkey.
The sweet clip, shared on TikTok by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), introduces viewers to Rafa and the soft toy he refuses to let go of. As the tiny koala cuddles his stuffed companion, text in the video explains that Punch isn’t the only baby animal who relies on a plush friend for comfort.
“In rehabilitation, stuffed animals are used to mimic koala mothers for koala joeys that have been orphaned,” the organization explained in the caption.
And sadly, Rafa’s story is exactly why those stuffed companions can be so important.
According to his caretakers, Rafa was rescued in Australia after a tragic accident involving his mother.
“Unfortunately, the mother didn’t make it,” one caregiver explained in another video shared by the group.
But there was a small miracle. Rafa had been safely tucked inside his mother’s pouch when the accident happened.
“Luckily Rafa was hidden in Mom’s pouch and he was perfectly healthy without any injuries,” the caretaker said.
Since being taken in by rescuers, Rafa has been thriving. Caretakers say the little koala is growing stronger every day and steadily putting on weight as he recovers.
And through it all, his stuffed toy has remained close by his side — offering the comfort that a mother koala normally would.
The heartwarming video quickly spread across social media, with viewers instantly falling in love with the tiny joey and his plush companion.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW:
Some commenters even joked that Rafa and Punch — the baby monkey known for hugging his own stuffed animal — should meet someday.
“I’m not emotionally stable enough for this,” one person wrote. “Please tell him I love him.”
Another viewer commented, “I would protect Rafa and Punch with my life.”
Others admitted they simply couldn’t handle how cute the tiny koala looked cuddling his toy.
“Oh no, I can’t keep falling in love with baby animals I’ll never get to hold,” one commenter joked.
At one point in the video, Rafa even appeared to notice the camera and gave what looked like a tiny wink — sending fans into an even bigger meltdown.
“Did that baby koala just wink at me? I think I’m in love,” one person wrote.
Another viewer joked that Rafa and Punch should come over for a very special sleepover.
“Punch, Rafa, and their stuffed animals are invited to a slumber party at my house,” the commenter wrote. “They may never leave — but they’ll have all the stuffed toys they want.”
Between his tiny hugs and that possible wink, Rafa has already proven he’s more than ready to become the internet’s newest baby animal sensation.