SEOUL, South Korea—The South Korean internet buzzed with joy as news spread that Neukgu, a two-year-old wolf who had captivated the nation with his escape from a zoo, was safely captured on Friday. His nine-day adventure had not only made him a national celebrity but also kept people across the country on edge.
Neukgu, a male wolf, managed to dig his way out of his enclosure at Daejeon’s O-World zoo on April 8. This daring escape sparked a widespread search, as many worried about his well-being and whether he could survive outside the confines of the zoo. Animal rights advocates voiced particular concern, fearing that Neukgu might meet the same fate as a puma that was killed after escaping from the same zoo in 2018.
The situation garnered so much attention that it prompted President Lee Jae Myung to address the public. He assured citizens that police, fire officials, and even military personnel were dedicated to capturing Neukgu alive, easing the nation’s concerns.
The search was not without its dramatic moments. Authorities came close to capturing Neukgu when he was spotted on a nearby mountain earlier in the week, but the clever wolf managed to slip through the perimeter set by rescue teams.
Adding to the suspense, a video circulated online showing Neukgu trotting along a dimly lit mountain road, his path illuminated by the headlights of a vehicle that trailed him, capturing the hearts of many who followed his story.
A driver also spotted the wolf and shared a video of him trotting along a dark mountain road, lit by the headlights of the vehicle trailing behind.
Neukgu was finally found and tranquilized on a hill near an expressway early Friday, after an hours-long search involving drones, police and emergency workers and veterinarians, according to city and zoo officials.
He was in stable condition after being taken back to the zoo, where 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 it in a carrier, and the animal undergoing medical examinations at the zoo.
Social media was flooded with celebratory posts, including messages like “welcome back” and “Neukgu, it’s dangerous outside the house.”
Daejeon Mayor Lee Jang-woo, in a Facebook post, expressed his “deepest gratitude to citizens of Daejeon and also the entire nation for your support in ensuring Neukgu’s safe return.”
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 going extinct in the 1960s.
Lee Kwan Jong, director of O-World, said 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 been criticized over a series of animal escapes, closed the facility following Neukgu’s escape and says it has not decided when it will reopen.
Lee Kwan Jong said the zoo, which is reviewing its security measures, will prioritize Neukgu’s recovery.
He’s expected to be a huge attraction when the zoo reopens.
