Two Americans face criminal charges in Japan after one broke into viral monkey Punch’s enclosure at Ichikawa City Zoo.
On May 17, 24-year-old Jahnai Dayson allegedly scaled the fence surrounding the nine-month-old macaque’s habitat while dressed in an emoji costume, per People. The other American, 27-year-old Neal Jabahri Duan, stood outside the enclosure and filmed the incident, according to the Ichikawa Police Department.
Once inside, Dayson dropped a small stuffed toy near a mound where macaques had gathered. The monkeys retreated as he approached, and no physical contact was made with any of the animals. Other visitors of the zoo captured the trespass on video. Zoo officials quickly moved to detain both of the tourists before they could get any closer to the primates.
Both Dayson and Duan have been arrested on suspicion of forcible obstruction of business. On X, the Ichikawa City Zoo announced that the duo had been "handed over to the police," and the zoo separately filed a damage report with the Ichikawa Police Station.
Afterward, zoo staff ran safety checks throughout the facility. "In response, we conducted safety checks on the animals and facilities," the zoo said, adding that "no abnormalities have been observed in the animals."
Punch became a global celebrity after he became very close with a stuffed orangutan toy given to him by a zookeeper following rejection by his mother. Images of Punch holding onto the toy spread like wildfire across social media, with people coming to his defense when he was seemingly bullied by other monkeys for having it.
According to zoo officials, Punch now spends his days peacefully, cared for by a growing number of fellow monkeys in his group.
In the wake of Sunday's incident, Ichikawa City Zoo announced plans to expand its viewing-restriction zone and install intrusion-prevention nets to keep the enclosures secure.
