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Two U.S. Tourists Arrested After Costumed Intrusion at Punch the Monkey’s Japan Zoo Enclosure

Police cited forcible obstruction of business as the zoo moves to tighten access around the viral macaque.

Overview

  • Ichikawa City Zoo outside Tokyo, which reported a costumed trespasser in the macaque habitat Sunday, turned two visitors over to police after staff intervened.
  • Police identified the suspects as 24-year-old student Reid Jahnai Dayson, who entered the enclosure, and 27-year-old Neal Jabahri Duan, who filmed the stunt, and both deny the charge.
  • Officials said the men did not make contact with the animals and the zoo later reported no injuries or abnormal behavior among the troop.
  • The zoo announced new protections that include intrusion-prevention nets, constant patrols, a larger restricted viewing zone, and a possible filming ban at the site.
  • Punch drew big crowds after bonding with a stuffed orangutan when his mother rejected him, and the case highlights how viral stunts and tourism surges have strained rules at popular spots in Japan.