Escaped Wolf Safely Returned to South Korean Zoo After Nine-Day National Hunt
The South Korean internet erupted in celebration as a two-year-old wolf that escaped from a zoo in Daejeon was captured safely on Friday, concluding a nine-day search that gripped the nation and turned the animal into a national celebrity. The male wolf, named Neukgu, had burrowed out of his enclosure at the O-World zoo on April 8, prompting an intensive search that raised fears about his survival and safety.
National Concern and Presidential Involvement
Intense national concern over the wolf's escape even prompted President Lee Jae Myung to issue a statement reassuring the public that police, fire officials, and the military were doing their utmost to capture the wolf alive. Animal rights activists had expressed worries that Neukgu might not survive outside the zoo or could be killed during capture, a fate that befell a puma that escaped from the same zoo in 2018.
At one point earlier this week, authorities nearly captured Neukgu after spotting him on a mountain near the zoo, but he managed to break away from a perimeter set by rescue workers. A driver also captured a video of the wolf trotting along a dark mountain road, illuminated by the headlights of the vehicle trailing behind, which further fueled public interest and concern.
Successful Capture and Medical Examination
Neukgu was finally found and tranquilized on a hill near an expressway early Friday morning, following an hours-long search that involved drones, police, emergency workers, and veterinarians, according to city and zoo officials. After being taken back to the zoo, he was reported to be in stable condition. Veterinarians used a scope to remove a fishing hook from his stomach but found no other significant health issues.
Daejeon officials released social media videos showing rescuers pulling the limp wolf from a ditch and placing him in a carrier, as well as footage of the animal undergoing medical examinations at the zoo. These updates were met with widespread relief and joy across the country.
Social Media Celebration and Zoo's Response
Social media platforms were flooded with celebratory posts, including messages such as "welcome back" and "Neukgu, it's dangerous outside the house." Daejeon Mayor Lee Jang-woo expressed his "deepest gratitude to citizens of Daejeon and also the entire nation for your support in ensuring Neukgu's safe return" in a Facebook post.
Born at the zoo in 2024, Neukgu is a third-generation descendant of a group of wolves brought from Russia in 2008 as part of a project to reintroduce wolves resembling those that lived in the Korean wild before they went extinct in the 1960s. Lee Kwan Jong, director of O-World, stated that Neukgu will be kept in a separate area from other animals and receive care until he has fully recovered and stabilized.
The zoo's management, which has faced criticism over a series of animal escapes, closed the facility following Neukgu's escape and has not yet decided when it will reopen. Lee Kwan Jong added that the zoo is reviewing its security measures and will prioritize Neukgu's recovery. He is expected to be a major attraction when the zoo eventually reopens, drawing visitors eager to see the wolf that captivated the nation.
