A two-year-old wolf that escaped from a zoo in South Korea has been safely captured after a dramatic nine-day search that captured nationwide attention and sparked widespread celebrations.
The male wolf, named Neukgu, escaped from O-World Zoo on April 8 after digging out of his enclosure. His disappearance triggered an extensive search operation involving drones, emergency responders, and wildlife experts, while raising concerns about his safety in the wild.
Authorities came close to capturing the wolf earlier in the week after spotting him in nearby mountainous areas, but he managed to evade capture. Public interest intensified when a driver recorded a video of Neukgu moving along a dark road, illuminated by vehicle headlights.
The wolf was eventually located and tranquilized near an expressway after hours of coordinated efforts. He was then transported back to the zoo, where veterinarians confirmed he was in stable condition. Medical checks revealed a fishing hook in his stomach, which was successfully removed, with no other major health issues reported.
The incident drew nationwide attention, with citizens expressing concern for the animal’s well-being. Lee Jae-myung reassured the public that all efforts were being made to capture the wolf safely.
Social media platforms were flooded with messages celebrating Neukgu’s safe return, reflecting the emotional connection many people developed during the search. Local officials, including Lee Jang-woo, thanked citizens and authorities for their support in ensuring the animal’s safety.
Born in captivity, Neukgu is part of a conservation effort involving wolves originally brought from Russia to help reintroduce the species to the Korean peninsula. Following the incident, zoo authorities have announced plans to review security measures and will keep the wolf under close observation until he fully recovers.
The zoo remains temporarily closed as officials assess safety protocols, with Neukgu expected to become a major attraction once it reopens.
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