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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 method out of the O-World zoo and theme park in Daejeon, south of Seoul, on April 8.
His search saved the nation on edge as many anxious 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 occasions 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 through AP; Daejeon Metropolis Company/Reuters)
He was additionally seen close to a freeway practically three miles from the zoo, a zoo official stated.
The animal was captured simply after midnight on Friday after he was shot by a veterinarian utilizing a tranquilizer gun.
His very important indicators had been regular following a well being test, however a fish hook was faraway from his abdomen, zoo officers stated.
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 carry 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 era of wolves dropped at South Korea from Russia to reintroduce an animal much 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 carry 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 had 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 workers 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 outdoors the home.”
After Neukgu’s escape final week, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung wrote on X: “Presently, the police, fireplace providers, and army are mobilizing their full sources to make sure a protected 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 collection of animal escapes. A close-by elementary faculty additionally briefly closed after his escape for security causes.
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Lee Kwan Jong, director of O-World, stated that Neukgu will probably be saved separate from the opposite animals till he has recovered.
Zoo officers stated they aren’t certain when O-World will reopen as they evaluation safety measures, with the director including that Neukgu’s well being will take priority.
Reuters and The Related Press contributed to this report.
