Two Americans Arrested for Trespassing in Viral Monkey Punch’s Zoo Enclosure

Two American nationals were arrested Sunday in Japan after one of them climbed into the enclosure of Punch, a baby macaque who gained international fame earlier this year. The incident occurred at Ichikawa City Zoo, located outside Tokyo, where Punch has become a viral sensation. The suspects were identified by the Ichikawa Police Department as 24-year-old Reid Jahnai Dayson, a university student, and 27-year-old Neal Jabahri Duan, who described himself as a singer.

According to police, Dayson scaled a fence and dropped into a dry moat surrounding the monkey exhibit while Duan allegedly filmed the act. Social media images showed a person dressed in a bright blue suit with a smiley-face head and sunglasses climbing the fence, which caused the monkeys to scatter. Zoo officials quickly apprehended the men, who did not approach the animals directly.

The two face charges of forcible obstruction of business, which they deny. Authorities noted that the men initially tried to provide false names and did not have formal identification on them. The zoo confirmed that no abnormalities were observed among the animals following the intrusion.

In response to the incident, Ichikawa Zoo announced measures to enhance security around Punch’s enclosure. Starting Tuesday, the zoo will expand the viewing restriction area, install intrusion prevention nets, and maintain permanent patrols. Discussions are also underway about banning video recording at the site.

Punch became an internet star after photos of him clutching an IKEA plush orangutan for comfort, following rejection by his mother and other monkeys, were widely shared. Raised in an artificial environment since his birth in July, Punch has been training to rejoin his troop, drawing a devoted fanbase under the hashtag #HangInTherePunch.

The arrests come amid a surge of domestic and international visitors to the zoo, driven by Punch’s viral fame. However, some local residents have expressed frustration over unruly behavior by foreign visitors. Similar incidents have occurred in Japan recently, including the arrest of a Ukrainian YouTuber for trespassing in the Fukushima nuclear exclusion zone and an American content creator detained for trespassing at a construction site.