Elusive Wolf Neukgu Captured After Nine-Day South Korean Manhunt

Neukgu, the two-year-old wolf whose escape from a South Korean zoo captivated the nation, has been safely captured after a nine-day pursuit. The animal was apprehended near an expressway at 00:44 local time on Friday, according to the Daejeon government.

A medical examination confirmed Neukgu's pulse and body temperature were normal, authorities stated, though a fishing hook was later removed from his stomach via endoscopic surgery.

Extensive Search Efforts

Hundreds of rescue officials were deployed in the search for Neukgu, who repeatedly evaded capture. Close calls included a sighting on a mountain 2km from O-World, the zoo he escaped from, and a video circulating on social media showing him scampering on a road.

Authorities eventually located him in the Anyeong-dong area following a tip-off on Thursday evening. Neukgu was hit in the thigh with a tranquilliser dart from 20m away before being returned to the zoo. It took approximately six minutes for him to enter a "stable" condition after the darting.

Neukgu is part of an O-World programme aimed at reintroducing the Korean wolf, a species now considered extinct in the wild. His escape sparked considerable public interest, including the creation of a meme coin celebrating him as a "wolf that wouldn't stay caged" and a "symbol of independence."

Animal rights groups had expressed concern that Neukgu might suffer the same fate as Porongi, a puma that escaped from the same zoo in 2018 and was killed during its recapture. Even South Korean President Lee Jae Myung publicly called for Neukgu's safe return. These fears have now been allayed with his successful capture.