Wolf Recaptured After Search That Gripped South Korea

A wolf that briefly became a national sensation in South Korea after escaping from a zoo has been safely captured following a nine-day search effort that drew widespread attention.

Officials in Daejeon confirmed that the 2-year-old male wolf, named Neukgu, was located early Friday morning near an expressway. He was sedated before being taken into care. Veterinarians later said they removed a fish hook from his stomach, but otherwise found him to be in stable condition.

The search had begun after Neukgu escaped from the O-World zoo in Daejeon, apparently by digging beneath a fence. His disappearance quickly escalated into a major operation involving more than 100 personnel, including police officers, firefighters, and military units, as well as drones equipped with thermal imaging. Authorities also shut down a nearby elementary school while the search was underway due to safety concerns.

The case attracted intense public interest, spreading well beyond traditional news coverage. Online communities formed around the wolf, and even a cryptocurrency token using his name appeared on decentralized markets, generating roughly $140,000 in trading activity within a 24-hour period.

Animal welfare groups also raised concerns about the response strategy, warning that the involvement of hunters created a risk the animal could be killed. One organization, Animal Freedom Solidarity, argued that Neukgu was the victim of poor facility management and structural failures at the zoo. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said publicly that he hoped no one would be harmed during the search and that the wolf would be returned safely.

Neukgu was born in 2024 as part of a project aimed at reintroducing the Korean wolf, a species long believed to be extinct in the wild. His escape followed other recent incidents involving zoo animals in South Korea, including a zebra that previously wandered through the streets of central Seoul.

After his recapture, the O-World zoo—already facing criticism over repeated escape incidents—has been temporarily closed. Despite the controversy, officials expect Neukgu to become a major attraction once the facility reopens.

Original Source