A zoo in Japan that became internationally famous because of a viral monkey named Punch is now considering banning photography and filming near the animal enclosure following a shocking intrusion incident involving two men.
Ichikawa City Zoo in Chiba prefecture announced on May 19 that it is reviewing stricter security measures after two men were arrested for allegedly entering the monkey enclosure without permission.
The zoo had already increased safety precautions by expanding the restricted buffer zone around the enclosure and installing anti-intrusion netting after the incident that took place on May 17.
According to police, the suspects — a 24-year-old man claiming to be a university student and a 27-year-old self-described singer — were arrested on suspicion of forcible obstruction of business.
Authorities said the younger man climbed over a fence and jumped into the concrete monkey enclosure while dressed in a character costume, while the older suspect allegedly filmed the stunt using a smartphone from outside the enclosure.
The two men reportedly claimed to be US nationals.
The incident sparked concern because the enclosure houses Punch, a Japanese macaque that previously gained worldwide attention after emotional footage showed the monkey clinging to an orangutan plush toy following abandonment by his mother.
Zoo officials warned that the intrusion not only endangered the welfare and health of the animals but also placed zookeepers at risk.
Takashi Yasunaga, head of the Ichikawa municipal government’s zoological and botanical garden division, said authorities are determined to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
“We want to take various measures to ensure something like this never happens again,” he said.
The unusual case has reignited discussions in Japan surrounding social media stunt culture, public behaviour at zoos and the safety of animals that become viral internet sensations.
