2 US nationals enter Punch the monkey’s zoo enclosure in costume, get arrested

19 May 2026 • 3:24 PM MYT
Tribune
Tribune

Breaking news, top headlines, in-depth analysis, & exclusive stories

Image from: 2 US nationals enter Punch the monkey’s zoo enclosure in costume, get arrested
@ExxAlerts/X

Two US nationals have been arrested by Japanese police after one broke into the Ichikawa City Zoo enclosure of viral monkey Punch while the other filmed the stunt.

The intruder, identified as 24-year-old Reid Jahnai Daysun, jumped the fence to enter the enclosure, while 27-year-old Neal Jabahri Duan filmed the incident.

Video clips of the incident show Daysun, wearing a blue suit with a smiling emoji head, climbing into the enclosure. The clip has since gone viral.

The men were apprehended by zoo authorities shortly. However, both men have denied the allegations.

No monkeys were injured during the incident, the BBC reported, citing police.

Punch the monkey went viral in February after the zoo posted photos of him with a large orangutan plush toy when his mother was seen rejecting him.