Neukgu the Runaway Zoo Wolf Found Alive After 9 Days—Now Recovering After Dramatic Search
A two-year-old wolf named Neukgu burrowed under a fence, vanished into the mountains and captivated an entire nation for more than a week before rescuers finally brought him home.
Neukgu, a male wolf born in 2024, escaped from the O-World zoo in Daejeon, South Korea, on April 8 after digging beneath the fence of his enclosure, according to the Associated Press. What followed was a nine-day search operation so sprawling it involved police, military personnel, drones, veterinarians and even a public statement from South Korea’s president.
A Wolf on the Run
The escape triggered an extensive response across mountainous terrain near the zoo. Authorities deployed drones, traps and search teams to track the wolf. At one point, Neukgu was spotted on a nearby mountain but managed to slip away after nearly being contained within a perimeter set by rescue workers.
A driver also recorded video of the wolf running along a dark mountain road — footage that only fueled the growing national fascination with the search.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung addressed the situation publicly, expressing hope the wolf would be captured safely. The case drew widespread public attention across the country, with concerns raised about Neukgu’s safety during the search.
How They Caught Neukgu
Authorities 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. 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 placing him in a carrier. The scene marked the end of a pursuit that had stretched across rugged terrain and consumed national headlines for more than a week.
How Neukgu’s Doing Now
After being returned to the zoo, veterinarians examined Neukgu and found he was in stable condition. Authorities said he “hadn’t lost much weight” and “looked like he had eaten,” per BBC.
One unexpected discovery: a fishing hook was found in his stomach and removed using endoscopic surgery. No other significant health issues were identified.
Lee Kwan Jong, director of O-World, said Neukgu will be kept in a separate area and monitored until he fully recovers.
Why This Wolf Matters
Neukgu is not just any zoo animal. He 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. His lineage makes him part of a broader effort to preserve a species that was once native to the Korean Peninsula.
The O-World zoo temporarily closed following the escape and is reviewing its security measures. Officials have not announced when it will reopen.
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.”
The messages reflected the emotional investment of a public that had followed every twist of the wolf’s unlikely adventure — from fence breach to mountain sighting to a final tranquilizer dart fired from 20 meters away.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
