2 suspects identified in stunt at enclosure of viral monkey Punch
The two suspects arrested over the weekend after a stunt at the zoo enclosure of the viral baby monkey Punch have been identified by police.
A deputy station chief at Ichikawa Police Station confirmed the suspects' names to ABC News on Tuesday, identifying one as a man who claims to be a 24-year-old student and another who claims to be a 27-year-old singer.
The two men, who remain in police custody, are accused of forcible obstruction of business in connection with the incident, which took place Sunday morning at Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Garden, located just east of Tokyo.
Neither suspect has admitted to the allegation, according to police.
Video footage of the May 17 incident shared online shows an individual wearing a costume jumping down into the zoo's Japanese macaque enclosure, prompting the monkeys to rush to the top of a rock structure as the intruder walks around before being pulled aside by a zoo employee.
The zoo said in a social media post that same day that two individuals were "handed over" to police following the incident.
Takashi Yasunaga, head of Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Garden, told ABC News Tuesday that one suspect entered the enclosure while the other filmed from outside.
Yasunaga said the zoo, which hosted around 600 visitors that day, remained open following the incident.
"We kept going, despite what happened," Yasunaga said, adding that he hopes the incident does not deter future visitors.
"This kind of thing has never happened to us before," he said, later adding, "Please keep supporting us. Don't let this incident affect that."
The zoo said in a series of posts on social media Monday that the macaques in the enclosure are safe, and the zoo is strengthening its security measures as a result of the incident, including adding security patrols, installing "intrusion prevention nets" in the area and expanding the enclosure's viewing restriction zone.
Zoo officials said the "safety and health" of the animals is their priority, and they will take "strict action against any violations of our rules."
Punch, a Japanese macaque or snow monkey, gained viral attention earlier this year after videos showed him bonding with an orangutan plushie after he was abandoned by his birth mom due to her own health issues, according to zoo officials.
A video of Punch seeking comfort from the stuffed orangutan after he was violently dragged by another monkey resonated with many online.
A viral hashtag also circulated on social media showing support for the baby monkey, who will turn 1 in July.
Editor's note: This article was updated to include details on the suspects arrested in connection with the enclosure breach and to add comments from the head of Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Garden.
