A two-year-old wolf named Neukgu, who captivated South Korea for over a week, has been safely captured. The elusive animal had escaped from Daejeon's O-World zoo nine days ago, sparking a massive search operation across the region. His safe return puts an end to widespread public concern and intense efforts by hundreds of rescue officials. Neukgu was finally tranquilized and returned to captivity early Friday morning.

What Happened?

The dramatic escape of Neukgu began nine days ago from O-World, a popular zoo and theme park in Daejeon, a central South Korean city. This young wolf is part of a vital program aimed at restoring the Korean wolf population, a species now considered extinct in the wild. His sudden disappearance launched an extensive search involving hundreds of officials, who scoured the surrounding areas by foot, vehicle, and even drone.

Authorities faced several close calls during the search. Earlier this week, on Monday night, Neukgu was spotted on a mountain just 2 kilometers from the zoo. A video of him running on a road in the dark, illuminated by car headlights, even circulated widely on social media, fueling public interest and the public's fascination with the 'wolf that wouldn't stay caged'. Despite these sightings, the quick-moving wolf repeatedly evaded capture, slipping away each time rescuers neared him. The constant near-misses and Neukgu's clever evasions led to him becoming a national talking point, even inspiring a meme coin celebrating his 'independence' as a 'symbol of independence'.

The final capture operation took place late Thursday evening in the Anyeong-dong area following a fresh tip-off. Rescuers, monitoring him via drone, successfully shot Neukgu in the thigh with a tranquilizer gun from 20 meters away. It took approximately six minutes for the sedative to take full effect, stabilizing the fast-moving wolf. He was then carefully placed into a carrier and transported back to O-World, ending his prolonged adventure and bringing immense relief to the nation. Upon medical examination, authorities reported Neukgu's pulse and body temperature were normal, and he had not lost significant weight. A fishing hook found in his stomach was safely removed through endoscopic surgery, indicating he had been foraging during his time outside the zoo.

Key Highlights

Neukgu, a two-year-old wolf, was safely captured after nine days on the loose from O-World zoo in Daejeon, South Korea.
The capture occurred near an expressway on Friday at 00:44 local time, following a tip-off to authorities.
Hundreds of rescue officials participated in the extensive search, which included monitoring the wolf via drones.
Neukgu had multiple close calls, including a sighting on a mountain and a video of him on a road that went viral on social media.
He was tranquilized from 20 meters away and took about six minutes to stabilize before being returned to the zoo.
Medical examination confirmed normal pulse and body temperature, though a fishing hook was removed from his stomach via endoscopy.
Neukgu is part of a program to restore the Korean wolf, a species extinct in the wild, and his escape sparked national interest and concern, even prompting a public prayer from South Korea's president.

Why Does This Matter?

Neukgu's escape and eventual capture matter significantly for several reasons, touching upon animal welfare, conservation efforts, and public engagement. For many, his journey symbolized a natural desire for freedom, sparking a nationwide conversation about animals in captivity and the challenges of reintroducing endangered species. There were genuine fears for his safety, especially remembering the tragic fate of Porongi, a puma from the same zoo that was killed during its capture in 2018. The safe capture of Neukgu provides a reassuring outcome, demonstrating effective rescue protocols and a commitment to preserving the animal's life. The Daejeon city government expressed profound gratitude to everyone who contributed to his safe return, highlighting the collective effort involved.

Moreover, this incident highlights the critical importance of the Korean wolf restoration program at O-World. With the Korean wolf extinct in the wild, every individual animal like Neukgu represents a vital step towards bringing the species back. His survival is crucial for the program's success and the broader efforts to re-establish this native species. The widespread public attention, including prayers from the South Korean president and the creation of a meme coin, shows how deeply people can connect with and care about wildlife. This heightened awareness can foster greater support for conservation efforts and responsible animal management in zoos, reminding us of our shared responsibility towards protecting endangered species for future generations.