A visitor at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan was expelled after pointing a laser at Punch the Monkey, the viral baby macaque who gained fame after being rejected by his mother. The zoo has issued a stern warning, stating it will take firm action against anyone using laser pointers near the animals.
Zoo Issues Stern Warning
A zoo official told local sources, "We will take firm action, such as immediately expelling laser pointer users from the zoo." The spokesperson called the act "extremely dangerous" and also warned against using camera flashes, which can stress the animals.
The zoo posted on social media: "These animals deserve to feel safe in their home, free from anything that can scare, stress or harm them. Please help protect Punch and all the macaques by respecting the rules and reporting this behaviour if you ever see it."
Public Outrage
Comments under the reposted video were critical of the visitor, with one calling the person an "idiot". Another wrote, "Whoever tries to harm the animals at the zoo, especially Punch, I hope they are put in jail, fined a large sum of money, and banned from entering Ichikawa City Zoo ever again."
Previous Incident
This incident follows an earlier event in which two American tourists were detained for jumping into Punch's enclosure carrying a stuffed toy. Officers in Chiba, a Tokyo suburb, apprehended Red Jahnai Daysun, 24, and Neal Jabahri Duan, 27. One of the men, wearing a blue suit and yellow emoji head, leaped into the enclosure clutching a stuffed toy, while the other allegedly recorded the stunt.
According to the New York Post, the trespassers' clothing seemed connected to a "meme coin" cryptocurrency, and their social media profiles featured posts showing off travels, fancy watches, cars, and stacks of money while promoting online content. Zoo-goers were shocked as the macaques bolted in panic and clustered at a rock formation to escape the intruder.
