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Search intensifies for runaway wolf in Daejeon
South Korean authorities have escalated efforts to recapture a two-year-old wolf named Neukgu, which escaped from Daejeon O-World zoo three days ago. Heat-seeking cameras and drones are being used in the operation, which involves over 300 personnel, including firefighters, police, and military troops.
Escape details and immediate response
Neukgu, a male wolf, burrowed under a fence at the zoo and theme park in the central city of Daejeon on Wednesday. Zoo officials confirmed the escape after reviewing CCTV footage, which showed the animal digging through soil at the base of its enclosure. Daily inspections had been conducted before the park opened, but the breach went unnoticed until a headcount revealed the missing wolf.
In response, Daejeon Fire Headquarters mobilized a large search team. Thermal imaging footage from the Korea Wildlife Protection Association captured the wolf moving along a wooded hillside near the zoo on Wednesday. However, drone operations launched early Thursday were suspended due to heavy rain, delaying the search efforts.
Public safety measures and political response
As a precaution, authorities closed a nearby elementary school on Thursday while the wolf remained at large. Residents have been advised to stay vigilant and report any sightings immediately. President Lee Jae Myung addressed the incident on social media platform X, stating, "I hope no human casualties occur and I pray that Neukgu also returns home safely."
Conservation background and public reaction
Neukgu was born in 2024 as part of a conservation program aimed at restoring the Korean wolf, a species declared extinct in the wild. The escape has drawn comparisons to a 2023 incident in which a zebra named Sero fled a Seoul zoo.
The runaway wolf has also sparked unexpected online activity. A meme coin named after Neukgu emerged on decentralized cryptocurrency exchanges within the last 24 hours, according to local media reports.
Zoo accountability and next steps
Zoo officials acknowledged that the wolf damaged the fence before escaping. An O-World representative told The Korea Times that while daily enclosure inspections are standard procedure, the breach was only discovered after the wolf's absence was noted. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as the search enters its fourth day.
