In February 2026, the internet was moved to tears by the story of a baby macaque named Punch (Panchi-kun in Japanese), who was abandoned by his mother and clung to a plush toy for emotional support. Now almost a year old, Punch still captures global attention, but some fans have taken their interest too far.
Incident at Ichikawa Zoo
On May 17, two American nationals allegedly entered Punch's enclosure at Ichikawa Zoo. The Ichikawa Police Department identified the suspects as Jahnai Dayson, a 24-year-old university student, and Neal Jabahri Duan, a 27-year-old singer. A video of the incident shows a man dressed in a costume climbing over the fence into the enclosure, dropping a small stuffed toy near a mound of monkeys, causing chaos among the macaques.
According to authorities, Dayson climbed the fence while Duan filmed. They did not approach the animals and were quickly apprehended by zoo staff. Both were arrested on suspicion of forcible obstruction of business. The zoo confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that the intruders were handed over to the police. Safety checks on animals and facilities revealed no abnormalities, and the zoo filed a damage report.
Increased Security Measures
In response, the zoo expanded its viewing-restriction area and installed intrusion-prevention nets to prevent future incidents.
Internet Rallies Behind Punch
Punch was born in July 2025 and rejected by his mother, a devastating start for a Japanese macaque. He was hand-raised by keepers and bonded with a plush Ikea orangutan named "Ora-mama." Videos of him being rejected by other monkeys sparked the hashtag #HangInTherePunch across social media. Though he has since formed bonds, including a girlfriend, the world remains invested in his story. The recent intrusion led to online backlash, with users calling for jail time, fines, and deportation for the duo.
