An American tourist dressed as a giant emoji allegedly leapt into a monkey enclosure at a Japanese zoo Sunday, sending panicked macaques scrambling while stunned visitors screamed from outside the exhibit.
Authorities identified the tourists as 24-year-old Reid Jahnai Dayson and 27-year-old Neal Jabari Duan.
Police said the bizarre stunt unfolded at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan inside the enclosure housing a baby macaque monkey named Punch, who became an internet sensation earlier this year.
According to Japanese outlet TBS News, Dayson climbed over a fence and jumped directly into the monkey exhibit while Duan allegedly recorded the incident.
Video from the scene allegedly showed Dayson wearing a full emoji costume as he wandered through the enclosure.
Witnesses could be heard shouting while the monkeys scattered away from him.
Authorities said the tourist appeared to treat the incident like a performance, waving at onlookers while walking through the exhibit.
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A zoo employee eventually entered the enclosure and escorted him out.
Officials later confirmed the man never physically touched Punch or the other monkeys.
Police said both Americans were arrested and now face charges of forcible obstruction of business.
Authorities also alleged the pair initially lied about their identities and were not carrying formal identification documents when detained.
The stunt caused immediate backlash because of Punch’s viral popularity.
The orphaned macaque became famous online after videos showed the monkey carrying around an orangutan stuffed animal for comfort.
Millions of viewers followed Punch’s story as the zoo worked to help the monkey integrate with the rest of the troop.
The zoo later announced increased security measures following the incident.
Officials said access around the enclosure would be restricted while the zoo installs “intrusion prevention nets” and increases patrols.
The zoo also announced visitors would temporarily be banned from filming at the exhibit.
In addition, officials said YouTubers would no longer be allowed to record content featuring Punch and the other monkeys “for the time being.”
Zoo officials later stated that “no abnormalities” had been observed among the animals after the stunt.
Elsewhere in Rome, another tourist triggered outrage after diving fully clothed into the city’s historic Trevi Fountain.
British media outlets identified the tourist as a 30-year-old visitor from New Zealand.
Video of the incident quickly exploded online, drawing millions of views.
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The footage showed the tourist backing away from the fountain before suddenly sprinting toward the landmark and diving directly into the water.
Crowds gathered nearby as police repeatedly ordered him to get out.
Authorities said the man continued moving through the fountain despite commands from officers.
Police later fined the tourist €500, or roughly $580. Officials also banned him from returning to the landmark.
The Trevi Fountain remains one of Rome’s most heavily visited tourist sites.
According to city officials, the location attracts tens of thousands of people each day and more than 9 million visitors annually.
Authorities have repeatedly struggled with tourists illegally entering the fountain despite stricter security measures and increased police presence.
In Florida, another tourist ended up under arrest after allegedly shoulder-checking a Disney Cast Member during a confrontation at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Authorities said the incident happened March 20 shortly after the park officially closed for the evening.
According to WDWNT, 48-year-old Domenico Barbieri of Ontario, Canada, was arrested and charged with misdemeanor battery.
Court records reportedly show Barbieri pleaded not guilty.
The confrontation allegedly started after Barbieri approached a Cast Member about relatives who had entered a ride queue after closing time.
Authorities said the family allegedly jumped over chains blocking off the attraction entrance after the ride shut down for the night.
The Cast Member reportedly escorted the group out.
According to the report, Barbieri and his relatives later attempted to enter through the Lightning Lane entrance anyway.
The Cast Member allegedly tried blocking Barbieri while asking him to leave the attraction area.
According to the arrest report, the employee attempted to move the discussion away from the attraction entrance while standing in front of him.
Investigators said Barbieri continued advancing despite repeated instructions.
According to WDWNT, the report alleged Barbieri shoved the employee with his shoulder while telling her she was not going to stop him.
Authorities said the Cast Member continued trying to block him from moving deeper into the attraction queue where additional guests and employees were gathered.
Investigators alleged Barbieri shoulder-checked the Cast Member a second time while continuing farther into the Lightning Lane area.
Disney security and management were eventually alerted.
According to WDWNT, investigators later interviewed Barbieri, and the report stated he “largely corroborated” the employee’s account.
The report also claimed Barbieri admitted the Cast Member attempted to block him while he continued moving forward.
