American tourists arrested in Japan after alleged break-in at viral monkey Punch’s enclosure

Two American nationals were reportedly arrested successful Japan connected Sunday aft 1 allegedly entered the enclosure of Punch, the young macaque astatine Ichikawa City Zoo who became celebrated online for his inseparable enslaved with a stuffed orangutan toy.

Videos circulating online look to amusement a idiosyncratic dressed successful an emoji costume climbing implicit a obstruction into the Japanese macaque enclosure earlier dropping a tiny stuffed artifact adjacent the animals, startling them and causing them to retreat, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).

The suspects were identified arsenic a 24-year-old assemblage pupil and a 27-year-old self-described singer, AFP reported.

PUNCH THE MONKEY, VIRAL STAR, EXPERIENCES DRAMATIC BREAKTHROUGH AMONG ZOO MATES

This photograph taken connected Feb. 19, 2026 shows Punch sitting with his stuffed orangutan artifact astatine Ichikawa City Zoo. (JIJI PRESS / AFP via Getty Images)

Zoo unit rapidly intervened, and authorities said neither fishy made carnal interaction with the monkeys, according to AFP.

Ichikawa Police told AFP the 2 men were arrested connected suspicion of forcible obstruction of business.

One fishy was not cooperating with police, portion the different denied the allegations, according to reports citing NHK.

In a connection posted to X connected May 17, Ichikawa City Zoo confirmed the brace had been turned implicit to constabulary and said information inspections were conducted afterward. 

ORPHANED BABY MONKEY FINDS COMFORT IN STUFFED ANIMAL AFTER BEING ABANDONED BY MOTHER AT BIRTH

Punch is seen with his stuffed carnal connected Feb. 20, 2026. (Photo by David Mareuil/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Officials added that nary animals were injured during the incident.

"Around 10:50 today, determination was an intruder successful Saruyama," the zoo wrote. "We are informing you that the 2 individuals, including the intruder successful question, person been handed implicit to the police."

The zoo besides announced impermanent viewing-area closures and enhanced information measures portion operations continued arsenic scheduled.

SEVERAL MONKEYS STILL ON THE LOOSE IN ST LOUIS AS OFFICIALS CALL OFF SEARCH FOR ROAMING ANIMALS

Punch became a viral sensation earlier this twelvemonth aft zoo unit gave him a stuffed orangutan artifact for comfort.  (@20230605x_x via Storyful)

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The monkey had been abandoned by his parent soon aft commencement successful July 2025, prompting zookeepers to hand-raise him.

Fox News Digital's Khloe Quill contributed to this report.