US tourists arrested after jumping into Punch the monkey's zoo enclosure in Japan

Two US tourists were arrested after one allegedly entered Punch the baby macaque's enclosure at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan. The incident has prompted the zoo to tighten security and review filming rules.

In Short

• Two American men entered Japanese zoo's baby macaque enclosure.
• One man climbed barrier; other filmed the stunt.
• Zoo to tighten security and consider filming ban.

A Japanese zoo has tightened security and is considering banning filming near its monkey enclosure after two American men allegedly entered the habitat of Punch, the viral baby macaque adored online for his heartbreaking backstory.

The incident took place at Ichikawa City Zoo on Sunday morning. According to police, one of the men, who identified himself as a 24-year-old college student, climbed over a barrier and entered the monkey enclosure while the second man, a 27-year-old who claimed to be a singer, allegedly recorded the stunt.

Authorities said both men denied the allegations. No animals were harmed during the incident.

Videos shared online by visitors at the zoo showed a person wearing a costume and carrying a stuffed toy entering the enclosure area. Reports said the outfit appeared to be part of a cryptocurrency promotion stunt.

The footage caused outrage online, especially because Punch had previously become beloved across social media due to his emotional backstory. Earlier this year, clips of the now nine-month-old macaque hugging and dragging around a stuffed orangutan toy had gone viral after zoo keepers gave it to him when he was abandoned by his mother.

Zoo officials had earlier said Punch initially struggled to socialise with other monkeys and spent most of his time attached to the toy and interacting with caretakers. More recent updates, however, showed him slowly bonding with the troop, including grooming and cuddling with other macaques.

Following Sunday’s intrusion, the zoo confirmed it had filed a report with police and would tighten security measures around the enclosure. Planned changes reportedly include installing anti-intrusion nets and expanding restricted viewing zones near the monkeys.

The zoo is also considering banning filming near the enclosure altogether and temporarily suspending shooting requests from YouTubers and creators.

Japanese police reportedly arrested the two men on suspicion of obstructing business operations after zoo staff quickly intervened and escorted the intruder out of the enclosure before he could get close to the animals.

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