SEOUL, South Korea — A two-year-old wolf that captivated South Korea during a dramatic nine-day escape has been safely returned to his zoo home, sparking nationwide celebration and relief.
The male wolf, called Neukgu, had tunneled his way out of his habitat at O-World zoo in Daejeon on April 8, launching an intensive search operation that gripped the entire country. Animal welfare advocates had expressed deep concerns about whether the young wolf could survive in the wild, and also feared he might be killed during capture efforts — a tragic outcome that befell a puma that fled the same facility in 2018.
The situation became so significant that President Lee Jae Myung felt compelled to publicly address the nation, assuring citizens that police, firefighters, and military personnel were working tirelessly to bring the wolf back alive.
Rescue teams came close to catching Neukgu earlier in the week when they located him on a mountainside near the zoo, but the clever animal managed to slip through their containment efforts. A motorist later filmed the wolf walking along a dark mountain roadway, illuminated by vehicle headlights.
Early Friday morning, searchers finally located and sedated Neukgu on a hillside close to an expressway, following an extensive overnight operation that deployed drones, law enforcement, emergency responders, and veterinary specialists, according to municipal and zoo authorities. Medical staff discovered the wolf was in good condition upon his return, though they did need to surgically extract a fishing hook from his digestive system. No other serious health concerns were identified.
City officials shared social media footage depicting rescue workers lifting the sedated animal from a drainage area and transporting him in a carrier, as well as scenes of his medical evaluation at the zoo facility.
Online platforms were flooded with joyful messages, featuring phrases such as “welcome back” and “Neukgu, it’s dangerous outside the house.” Daejeon Mayor Lee Jang-woo posted on Facebook expressing his “deepest gratitude to citizens of Daejeon and also the entire nation for your support in ensuring Neukgu’s safe return.”
Neukgu was born at the facility in 2024 and represents the third generation of wolves descended from a pack imported from Russia in 2008. This breeding program aims to reestablish wolves similar to those that roamed Korea’s wilderness before becoming extinct in the 1960s.
O-World director Lee Kwan Jong explained that Neukgu will remain isolated from other animals while receiving specialized care until he has completely healed and readjusted.
The zoo’s administration, which has faced criticism for multiple animal escape incidents, shuttered the facility after Neukgu’s breakout and has not announced a reopening date.
Lee Kwan Jong stated that the zoo is conducting a comprehensive review of its safety protocols and will focus on Neukgu’s rehabilitation.
Officials expect the famous wolf will draw massive crowds when the zoo eventually reopens to visitors.
