South Korean authorities successfully recaptured Neukgu, a two-year-old male wolf, after he escaped from Daejeon’s O-World zoo and eluded capture for nine days. Neukgu was tranquilized near the Anyeong Interchange late on April 16 and safely returned to the zoo early April 17, concluding a search that garnered nationwide attention and commentary from the country’s president, according to the Korea Times and France 24.
During his time in the wild, Neukgu survived by feeding on carcasses found near local water sources, demonstrating strong instincts despite his young age and captivity, reports the Korea Times. The wolf’s escape also led to a cautious but successful capture operation involving veterinarians and zookeepers aiming to minimize his stress and injury.
Born in 2024 as part of a conservation program to restore native Korean wolves, Neukgu’s escape has prompted discussions about zoo security practices, as noted by Euronews and Bangkok Post. Animal rights groups expressed concerns about the risks associated with captivity and the wolf’s survival outside the controlled environment, according to the Guardian.
After capture, veterinarians discovered and removed a 2.6-centimeter-long fish hook from Neukgu’s stomach, a likely hazard from his time on the loose, as detailed by Korea Times. The wolf is now recovering at the zoo and is expected to return to his enclosure soon, the Korea Herald reports.
Officials are reviewing security protocols at O-World to prevent future escapes, and the incident has highlighted the resilience of wild animals even when held in captivity. Monitoring Neukgu’s health and behavior will be key to understanding how well captive-born wolves adapt if they inadvertently find themselves temporarily at large.
Neukgu
Daejeon
O-World Zoo
Daejeon O-World
South Korea
