In Japan, two individuals have been taken into custody following an incident where one man breached the enclosure of a popular monkey named Punch at a zoo. Punch, a baby macaque, gained worldwide recognition earlier this year after it was seen cuddling a soft toy orangutan after being abandoned by its mother.
The Ichikawa City Zoo, located near Tokyo, has stated it is implementing necessary measures to ensure the well-being and safety of its animals. The two American men were apprehended after one of them entered the enclosure while dressed in a costume featuring a smiley face and sunglasses, as captured in social media footage.
Although the intruder did not approach the animals, the presence of the individual caused the monkeys to scatter, according to local police reports. Zoo staff promptly detained the men, as confirmed by an Ichikawa Police spokesperson.
One of the detained individuals, a 24-year-old college student, is accused of climbing over a fence and descending into a dry moat surrounding the monkey habitat. The second man, who recorded the incident, is a 27-year-old singer. Both have been charged with obstructing business operations but deny the accusations.
The zoo has expressed regret over the incident and has filed a report with the authorities. In a statement posted on social media platform X, Ichikawa Zoo emphasized its commitment to the safety and health of its animals and vowed to enforce rules rigorously.
Punch gained fame earlier this year after the zoo shared images of the baby macaque holding onto an orangutan plush toy for comfort following the loss of maternal care. Baby macaques typically cling to their mothers for security and to develop their strength.
Despite attempts to provide alternative comfort items, such as towels or different soft toys, Punch specifically favored the tall orangutan toy. Born last July, Punch commenced training to reintegrate with its troop earlier this year. The monkey’s viral popularity has significantly boosted both domestic and international attendance at the zoo, drawing considerable online interest.
