Influencers climb over the fence of the Punch macaque: the crazy gesture for a handful of likes on social media

It was supposed to be yet another “crazy” video to be published online, but it turned into a case that outraged Japan. Two American citizens were arrested after illegally entering the monkey enclosure of the Ichikawa zoo, east of Tokyo, to film a social content starring Punch, the baby macaque who has become famous on the web in recent months. One of the two men apparently climbed over the barrier of the area reserved for animals, while his accomplice filmed the whole scene with a video camera.

The boy who entered the enclosure was wearing a costume with a large yellow emoji head and sunglasses. The images, which quickly ended up on social media, show the monkeys walking away in fear while the man moved within the area. Fortunately, no animals were injured and zoo staff intervened immediately, stopping the two tourists. Both are accused of obstructing professional activity, although they have denied any responsibility.

Punch, the macaque who had moved millions of people

Punch’s notoriety was born some time ago. The little macaque, now nine months old, had become much loved online after the publication of some photographs in which he hugged a stuffed animal in the shape of an orangutan. The cub had been rejected by its mother immediately after birth and zoo workers had used the toy to comfort it as it grew in an artificial environment.

Those images had gone around the world, transforming Punch into a true social icon. Since January the macaque has been living in an enclosure shared with other specimens and the zoo regularly updates visitors on its progress. In recent months Punch had begun to integrate with the group, receiving attention and care from the other macaques. A delicate story that attracted thousands of visitors, but which has now collided with the more toxic side of the search for online visibility.

Social, extreme tourism and animals transformed into content

The episode comes at a time when Japan is grappling with a tourism boom that often generates tension over behavior deemed disrespectful. In recent years, several foreign content creators have been arrested for provocative actions carried out on social media including live streaming, intrusions and disturbing the peace.

Ichikawa Zoo has announced new security measures, including anti-intrusion nets, video recording restrictions and possible bans for YouTubers in the macaque area. An understandable decision after an episode that confirms how the race for virality can exceed the limit of common sense. Animals are not props for social content, nor tools to get clicks and views, not to mention the fact that they could have physical and psychological consequences for these gestures. Turning them into a like-grabbing show is exactly what shouldn’t happen.

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