TOKYO - Two intruders claiming to be Americans climbed into Punch the monkey's compound on Sunday morning, one wearing a yellow costume while the other filmed, causing a disturbing scene at Ichikawa City Zoo in Chiba.
Police later arrested two men, 24-year-old Reid Junai Dyson and 27-year-old Neil Jabari Duane, both of whom described themselves as U.S. nationals.
According to police, the two men entered the monkey mountain area, which is off-limits to the public, at around 11 a.m. on May 17th, disrupting zoo operations.
Investigators said Dyson climbed over a fence while wearing a costume before jumping approximately four meters into the enclosure, while Duane filmed the incident.
Zoo staff restrained Dyson and handed both men over to police.
More than 60 monkeys, including Punch, were inside the enclosure at the time. No animals were injured, although zoo staff said the monkeys appeared frightened by the intrusion.
Duane reportedly told investigators that Dyson "acted on his own," and both suspects are denying the allegations.
Police are continuing to investigate the relationship between the two men and their motive for entering the enclosure.
Punch became widely known on social media after being abandoned by his mother shortly after birth and spending time clinging to a stuffed toy that served as a substitute mother figure.
Born on July 26th, 2025, Punch was hand-raised by zookeepers after his mother rejected him, possibly due to stress caused by an unseasonal heatwave. Caretakers Kosuke Shikano and Shumpei Miyakoshi experimented with various items to comfort the infant macaque before discovering that an IKEA orangutan plush toy provided reassurance for the young monkey.
Photos of Punch hugging the toy, nicknamed "Orang Mama" by fans online, spread rapidly across social media and turned the baby macaque into a nationwide sensation.
Punch was gradually integrated into the monkey troop in January 2026, with visitors closely following his progress as he learned to socialize and adapt within the group. Despite being tested and occasionally scolded by older monkeys, Punch became known for his playful personality and curiosity.
By April 2026, visitors described the nine-month-old macaque as energetic and thriving, often seen playing with other monkeys and interacting comfortably with his caretakers, a sign supporters viewed as proof that he had finally found security within the troop.
Source: TBS
