2 arrested after breaking into Punch the monkey enclosure in Japan, zoo says

Two people have been arrested in Japan after breaking into the enclosure of viral macaque Punch, according to the zoo.

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Ichikawa Zoo, outside Tokyo, said on social media on Sunday that there was an “intruder” in the monkey enclosure. The couple was arrested by the police.

The zoo said it had carried out safety checks on the animals and “no abnormalities” had been observed, but said “countermeasures” would be put in place.

Starting Tuesday, the zoo announced it would expand the viewing restriction zone, install “trespass prevention nets” and maintain constant patrols.

Images and videos online showed a person dressed in a bright blue suit and a smiling mask climbing the fence and jumping into the Japanese zoo.

NBC News has reached out to local police for more information on those arrested.

Punch and his stuffed monkey won the hearts of netizens earlier this year after he was rejected by other monkeys living with him and rejected by his mother.