On Sunday, Japanese authorities arrested two American nationals who entered a monkey enclosure at a zoo. The incident involved a baby macaque known as Punch, which gained international fame online earlier this year. Police revealed the details on Monday.
The Ichikawa Police Department, via CBS News’ Japanese partner TBS News, identified the individuals as 24-year-old Reid Jahnai Dayson, a university student, and Neal Jabahri Duan, 27, who identified himself as a singer. The disturbance took place at Ichikawa City Zoo, located near Tokyo.
According to reports, Dayson climbed over a fence and entered a dry moat around the monkey exhibit, while Duan captured the event on camera. Social media images showed a person wearing a costume with a smiley face head and sunglasses, causing the monkeys to scatter. Zoo officials quickly detained the men, who did not approach the animals.
The suspects face charges of forcible obstruction of business, which they deny. They initially provided false identities and lacked official identification, an official told AFP.
Following this incident, Ichikawa Zoo announced on its X account that access to Punch’s enclosure would be restricted starting Tuesday. Measures include installing intrusion prevention nets and employing permanent patrols. Additionally, the zoo considered prohibiting video recording in the area. They assured that none of the animals showed unusual behavior after the incident.
The zoo experienced increased visitor numbers due to Punch’s viral popularity. The baby monkey rose to fame after zoo photos depicted him with a plush orangutan, seeking comfort after being rejected by his mother. Born in July and raised in an artificial environment, Punch began reintegration with his troop this year. His story captured the internet’s attention, building a devoted fanbase under the hashtag #HangInTherePunch.
Japan has witnessed an influx of tourists in recent years. However, incidents involving foreigners’ disruptive behavior have frustrated some residents. Previous cases include the arrest of a Ukrainian YouTuber for trespassing in Fukushima’s nuclear exclusion zone and the detention of American content creator Johnny Somali in 2023 for trespassing at a construction site.