Escaped Zoo Wolf Neukgu Captured Safe After 9 Days on the Run as Nationwide Search End
For nine days, a young wolf named Neukgu had all of South Korea watching, worrying and hoping.
The two-year-old wolf escaped from the O-World zoo in Daejeon on April 8 after burrowing under the fence of his enclosure. What followed was an extraordinary search operation that drew national attention and had an entire country rooting for one animal’s safe return.
On Friday, that wish came true. Neukgu was safely captured and returned to his zoo, tired but in remarkably good shape, according to the Associated Press.
A Dramatic Search Across the Mountains
The search for Neukgu was no small effort. Police, military personnel, drones and veterinarians all joined the operation, scouring the mountainous areas near the zoo for the escaped wolf.
At one point, rescuers nearly had him. Neukgu was spotted on a nearby mountain, but he escaped after nearly being contained within a perimeter set by rescue workers. A driver also captured video of the wolf running along a dark mountain road — footage that spread widely and underscored just how elusive the young animal had become.
The case drew such widespread public attention that South Korean President Lee Jae Myung addressed the situation publicly, expressing hope the wolf would be captured safely.
The Moment Neukgu Was Found
Authorities finally located Neukgu in the Anyeong-dong area and captured him early Friday after an hours-long search, according to city and zoo officials.
He was tranquilized from approximately 20 meters (66 feet) away. Even after sedation, the wolf wasn’t slowing down easily. Authorities said Neukgu was “moving very fast” and monitored him via drone after sedation. It took about six minutes before he entered a “stable” condition, according to BBC.
Daejeon officials released video showing rescuers retrieving the sedated wolf from a ditch and carefully placing him in a carrier — a moment of relief for the many people who had followed his story.
How Is Neukgu Doing?
The news animal lovers were waiting for: Neukgu is doing well.
After being returned to the zoo, veterinarians examined him and found he was in stable condition. Authorities said he “hadn’t lost much weight” and “looked like he had eaten,” per BBC.
There was one unexpected concern. A fishing hook was discovered in his stomach and removed using endoscopic surgery. No other significant health issues were identified — a reassuring outcome after more than a week in the wild.
Lee Kwan Jong, director of O-World, said Neukgu will be kept in a separate area and monitored until he fully recovers.
Neukgu is more than just a zoo resident. The male wolf, born in 2024, is a third-generation descendant of wolves brought from Russia in 2008 as part of a conservation effort to restore wolves similar to those that once lived in Korea before going extinct in the wild in the 1960s.
That heritage made his safe return all the more significant to those following the story.
What’s Next for Neukgu and the Zoo
The O-World zoo temporarily closed following the escape and is reviewing its security measures. Officials have not announced when it will reopen.
For now, the focus remains on Neukgu’s recovery and the eventual goal of reuniting him with the other wolves at the facility.
The outpouring of concern from the public was not lost on officials. Following the capture, the Daejeon city government wrote on social media:
“Thank you to everyone who worked hard to bring Neukgu home.”
“To everyone who worried about Neukgu’s safety and cheered us on, thank you all so much.”
After nine days of uncertainty, Neukgu is safe, recovering and surrounded by people determined to keep him that way.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
