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<\/p>\nTwo American men have been arrested in Japan over a stunt that saw a man enter the zoo enclosure of Punch, a monkey that has become a global internet sensation.<\/p>\n
Images on social media showed a person scaling the enclosure fence at Ichikawa City Zoo outside Tokyo in a costume that included a smiley face head with sunglasses.<\/p>\n
While the intruder did not get close to the animals, it prompted the monkeys to scatter, according to police.<\/p>\n
The men were quickly apprehended by zoo keepers, an Ichikawa Police official told AFP.<\/p>\n
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Punch is often seen with the stuffed toy, but in more recent months has been spotted becoming more socialised with fellow monkeys. (Reuters: Kim Kyung-Hoon)<\/p>\n
One of the men, who identified himself as a 24-year-old college student, was arrested after allegedly climbing over a fence and dropping into a dry moat surrounding the monkey exhibit.<\/p>\n
The other man, who allegedly filmed the act, identified himself as a 27-year-old singer.<\/p>\n
The two men have been arrested on suspicion of forcible obstruction of business.<\/p>\n
But they have both denied the allegations.<\/p>\n
The zoo apologised for the concern the incident had caused and said it had filed a police report.<\/p>\n
“We will continue to prioritise the safety and health of the animals and take appropriate measures, while strictly addressing any rule violations,” Ichikawa Zoo posted on X.<\/p>\n