Wolf Neukgu discovered secure and returned to South Korean zoo after 9 days

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A wolf who escaped a South Korean zoo 9 days in the past, charming worldwide consideration, has been discovered and safely returned.

Neukgu burrowed his means out of the O-World zoo and theme park in Daejeon, south of Seoul, on April 8.

His search stored the nation on edge as many frightened for the 2-year-old wolf eight years after a puma named Bbo-rong was shot and killed hours after it escaped from the identical zoo.

Neukgu was seen a number of instances earlier than he was captured, together with on surveillance video.

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Neukgu was on the run for 9 days earlier than he was captured. (Daejeon Municipality by way of AP; Daejeon Metropolis Company/Reuters)

He was additionally seen close to a freeway almost three miles from the zoo, a zoo official mentioned.

The animal was captured simply after midnight on Friday after he was shot by a veterinarian utilizing a tranquilizer gun.

His very important indicators have been regular following a well being examine, however a fish hook was faraway from his abdomen, zoo officers mentioned.

https://cms.foxnews.com/wp/wp-admin/add.php?merchandise=7278933 ((Daejeon Metropolis Company/Reuters))

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Neukgu, born in captivity in 2024, is a part of a breeding program to deliver up the numbers of the Korean wolf, which is taken into account extinct within the wild.

A veterinarian examines the situation of a male wolf named Neukgu at Daejeon O-World theme park in Daejeon, South Korea, on April 17, 2026. (Daejeon Municipality/AP)

He's of the third technology of wolves dropped at South Korea from Russia to reintroduce an animal just like the Korean wolf, which went extinct within the Nineteen Sixties.

Daejeon Mayor Lee Jang-woo expressed his gratitude for these concerned within the seek for deliver Neukgu again safely, and pledged on Fb to "put together measures for animal welfare and civil security within the means of reorganising (the zoo)."

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The intensive search included drones with thermal image cameras .

Neukgu escaped an earlier try at seize when he evaded a fringe set for him on a mountain close to the zoo.

South Koreans have been enthralled by Neukgu’s escape, with some calling him an "honorary ambassador for the zoo." He even sparked an eponymous cryptocurrency meme.

Veterinarians and employees look at the male wolf Neukgu at Daejeon O-World theme park in Daejeon, South Korea, on April 17, 2026. (Daejeon Municipality/AP)

Followers of the wolf lit up social media after his rescue, writing, "welcome again" and "Neukgu, it’s harmful exterior the home."

After Neukgu’s escape final week, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung wrote on X: "Presently, the police, hearth companies, and army are mobilizing their full sources to make sure a secure seize and return. I sincerely hope that no casualties happen, and I pray that Neukgu, too, returns safely and unhurt."

O-World stays closed following Neukgu’s return, because it faces scrutiny following as sequence of animal escapes. A close-by elementary college additionally briefly closed after his escape for security causes.

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Lee Kwan Jong, director of O-World, mentioned that Neukgu can be stored separate from the opposite animals till he has recovered.

Zoo officers mentioned they aren’t positive when O-World will reopen as they overview safety measures, with the director including that Neukgu’s well being will take priority.