Punch first captured hearts worldwide in February 2026 after videos documenting his heartbreaking early life went viral online. Born in July 2025, the Japanese macaque was reportedly abandoned by his mother shortly after birth and raised by zookeepers at the Ichikawa City Zoo. The young monkey became an internet sensation after he was seen clinging to a plush Ikea orangutan toy, affectionately nicknamed “Ora-mama,” for comfort and emotional support.
Now, months later, the monkey’s story has resurfaced after an incident at the zoo on May 17 sparked outrage online.
According to the Ichikawa Police Department, two American men — 24-year-old university student Jahnai Dayson and 27-year-old singer Neal Jabahri Duan — allegedly entered Punch’s enclosure without permission. Authorities said Dayson climbed over a fence and entered the macaque area while Duan filmed the stunt.
Videos circulating online show a man in costume jumping into the enclosure and tossing a stuffed toy near a group of macaques, causing visible disturbance among the animals. Zoo staff quickly intervened before the situation escalated further.
Police confirmed that neither suspect physically harmed the animals and that the pair were promptly apprehended by zoo workers. The two men were later arrested on suspicion of forcible obstruction of business.
The zoo also addressed the incident publicly on X, formerly known as Twitter, confirming that the intruders had been handed over to authorities.
“In response, we conducted safety checks on the animals and facilities,” the zoo stated, adding that no abnormalities or injuries had been observed among the animals. Officials further confirmed that the zoo had filed a damage report with the local police station.
Following the incident, the facility announced enhanced security measures, including expanded visitor restriction zones and the installation of additional intrusion-prevention nets around animal enclosures.
The disturbing episode reignited public concern for Punch, whose emotional story had already made him one of the internet’s most closely followed animals. Early videos showing the baby macaque approaching other monkeys only to be ignored or pushed away led to an outpouring of sympathy online, with hashtags like #HangInTherePunch trending across X, Instagram, and Reddit.
Over time, zookeepers reported that Punch gradually formed social bonds with other macaques and was even believed to have found a companion among the troop. Despite his progress, millions of followers continue to closely monitor his well-being.
The recent trespassing incident triggered widespread backlash online, with many social media users condemning the stunt as reckless and harmful.
“What was this person thinking? Dressing as an emoji to scare monkeys? That’s next-level ridiculous,” one user wrote on X.
Another commented, “Climbing into a zoo enclosure is dangerous and unfair to the animals. Hopefully this leads to stronger safety measures.”
Others called for strict punishment, with one viral post stating, “Jail them. Fine them. Deport them.”
