American tourists arrested after breaking into monkey zoo enclosure – National
Two American tourists were arrested in Japan over the weekend after one climbed into the enclosure of Punch the monkey, an abandoned baby macaque, at Japan’s Ichikawa City Zoo.
Japanese police said on Monday they arrested Reid Jahnai Daysun, a 24-year-old college student, after he climbed a fence and fell into a monkey exhibit where the viral baby macaque was found.
Neal Jabahri Duan, a 27-year-old visitor, filmed the incident and was arrested on charges of disturbing the zoo, the New York Times reported.
The two men deny the charges, police told The Times, and will be questioned by prosecutors again on Tuesday.
Global News reached out to the Ichikawa Police Department for further comment, but has yet to receive a response.
The Ichikawa City Zoo confirmed the arrest of the two on Sunday, adding, “Around 10:50 today, there was a thief in Saruyama. We inform you that the two, including the thief in question, have been handed over to the police.”
Get the latest country news
Get the best Canadian news delivered to your inbox as it happens so you never miss a trending story.
“In response, we have carried out security checks on the animals and facilities. As some viewing areas have been closed and security measures have been tightened, the park will remain open today until 16:30 as usual,” the zoo said.
The Ichikawa City Zoo also released a statement on Monday, saying it had filed a damage report with the Ichikawa Police Station.
“From tomorrow onwards, with the safety and health of the animals as our priority, we will continue the countermeasures while dealing firmly with any violation of the rules,” the zoo added.
The zoo said that starting Tuesday, it will work on expanding the viewing area, installing nets to prevent entry into the restricted area and stop regular patrols.
“We apologize for any further inconvenience and ask for your understanding,” the zoo added.
In footage of the crime scene, a person wearing an emoji costume can be seen climbing over a barrier surrounding a macaque monkey enclosure, then dropping a small stuffed toy near the monkeys. Animals retreat when a person approaches.
The video also shows zoo staff grabbing the clothed man and escorting him away from the enclosure.
Punch the monkey became the talk of the internet around the world earlier this year after he stole the hearts of many after a video showed him dragging a stuffed orangutan out of its enclosure.
The baby monkey was abandoned by its mother at birth and raised by zoo staff, according to the zoo’s website. The stuffed animal was given to Punch to act as a contractual mother and provide comfort to the now nine-month-old macaque.
Punch’s fame rose to new heights when a video posted on social media showed him being dragged down by a giant macaque. After the interaction, Punch ran to his plushie and hugged it while a few other macaques came to check on him.
Punch was born on July 26, 2025, and has been living with a group of macaques since January 19, according to a post on X from the zoo.
In February, an Ikea stuffed orangutan was sold after many people started sharing videos showing Punch dragging the plushie around its enclosure.
Ikea also shared a post of a monkey hugging a plushie it called “Punch’s comfort orangutan.”
“We are ALL Punch’s family now,” the caption reads.
The Punch stuffed orangutan from Ikea’s Djungelskog line of children’s toys is back in stock and on sale for $14.99 in Canada.
© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
