Overview
- A costumed intruder jumped a fence into the dry moat of Ichikawa Zoo’s monkey area on Sunday as an accomplice filmed, and staff removed him before he reached the animals.
- Ichikawa police detained Reed Junai Dayson, 24, and Neal Jabari Duane, 27, who face allegations of forcible obstruction of business and deny the charge after first giving false names.
- The zoo said no animals were hurt and that Punch is safe, and it tightened security by closing some areas and canceling an event.
- News outlets cited social-media posts claiming the stunt promoted a $PUNCH cryptocurrency, a link authorities have not confirmed.
- Punch’s popularity has drawn larger crowds this year, and the case adds to growing frustration in Japan over tourists and creators who trespass or stage stunts for online attention.