American Tourists Arrested at Japanese Zoo After Entering Monkey Enclosure

Two American nationals were arrested in Japan at the Ichikawa City Zoo after one entered a monkey enclosure, involving a baby macaque named Punch who gained internet fame. The incident took place on Sunday and was reported by police on Monday.

The Ichikawa Police Department identified the suspects as Reid Jahnai Dayson, a 24-year-old university student, and Neal Jabahri Duan, a 27-year-old singer. Dayson reportedly climbed over a fence and dropped into a dry moat surrounding the monkey exhibit, while Duan allegedly filmed him.

Images on social media showed a person in a costume with a smiley face head and sunglasses scaling the fence. This prompted the monkeys to scatter. Zoo officials apprehended the men quickly, preventing them from reaching the animals.

“The men did not come close to the animals and were swiftly apprehended,” an official from the Ichikawa Police told AFP.

Both men face charges of forcible obstruction of business. Initially, they attempted to deceive police about their identities, lacking formal identification.

Following the incident, Ichikawa Zoo announced plans to enhance security around Punch’s enclosure, including the installation of intrusion prevention nets and permanent patrols. The zoo is also discussing banning video recording at the site to prevent future disturbances.

The baby monkey Punch became an internet sensation earlier this year. He gained a fanbase after the zoo posted photos of him with a plush IKEA orangutan for comfort, following rejection by his mother. Raised in an artificial environment, Punch began training to rejoin his troop.

#HangInTherePunch has been trending as Punch’s situation captivated many online. His fame has drawn a surge of domestic and international visitors to the zoo, boosting its popularity.

Japan has experienced an increase in tourists recently, though some locals express concerns about the behavior of some foreigners. Past incidents include a Ukrainian YouTuber trespassing in the Fukushima exclusion zone and an American content creator arrested at a construction site.