Two US nationals were each fined around RM9,000 after being arrested for allegedly trespassing into a monkey enclosure at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan.
The Chiba Local Prosecutors Office filed a summary indictment against a 24-year-old university student and a 27-year-old company executive at the Chiba Summary Court on Friday (June 5).
Authorities said the pair allegedly entered the enclosure housing internet-famous monkey “Punch” and other primates, and also disrupted zoo operations on May 17.
Punch gained global attention after being seen clinging to a large stuffed orangutan as if it were its mother and attempting to integrate with the group.
The summary court imposed the fines on both individuals on Friday, and they paid the penalties on the same day, according to reports.
