South Korea Celebrates As Escaped Zoo Wolf ‘Neukgu’ Captured Safely After 9-Day Hunt | Video

Last Updated:April 18, 2026, 16:01 IST

Escaped zoo wolf Neukgu captured safely in South Korea after nine days, found near expressway and treated for minor injury, escape sparks relief and scrutiny of zoo safety.

A young wolf that escaped from a zoo in South Korea has been captured safely after nine days on the run, ending a nationwide search that turned the animal into an unlikely celebrity.

The two-year-old male wolf, named Neukgu, had burrowed out of his enclosure at O-World Zoo on April 8, sparking an intense rescue effort and widespread public concern.

Nationwide search and concern

The search operation, involving police, fire officials, drones and veterinarians, gripped the country as sightings of the wolf emerged from nearby hills and roads.

At one point, rescuers nearly cornered Neukgu in a mountain area, but he managed to escape a containment perimeter. A passing driver also captured video of the wolf trotting along a dark road, further fuelling public interest.

The situation drew national attention, prompting South Korean President Lee Jae-myung to reassure citizens that authorities were working to capture the animal alive.

Rescue and recovery

Neukgu was finally located early Friday on a hill near an expressway, where he was tranquilised and safely retrieved after an hour-long operation.

He was taken back to the zoo and found to be in stable condition, with veterinarians removing a fishing hook from his stomach but reporting no other major health issues.

Public celebration and relief

The successful rescue triggered widespread relief across South Korea, with social media flooded with celebratory messages welcoming the wolf back.

Daejeon Mayor Lee Jang-woo thanked citizens nationwide for their support during the rescue effort.

Zoo under scrutiny

The escape has renewed scrutiny of the zoo’s safety measures. The facility remains closed as officials review security protocols following a series of past incidents, including a 2018 escape involving a puma that was later killed.

Zoo director Lee Kwan Jong said Neukgu will be kept under observation in a separate area until he fully recovers.

A symbolic animal

Born in 2024, Neukgu is part of a conservation effort to reintroduce wolves resembling those that once lived in the Korean Peninsula before becoming extinct in the 1960s.

Officials expect the wolf to become a major attraction when the zoo eventually reopens.

News world South Korea Celebrates As Escaped Zoo Wolf ‘Neukgu’ Captured Safely After 9-Day Hunt | Video

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