Neukgu, the two-year-old wolf who broke loose from a South Korean zoo and captured the nation's attention, has finally been captured following a nine-day long search. Neukgu was captured near an expressway on Friday at 00:44 local time (16:44 GMT), according to the government of Daejeon, the central city where his zoo was located.
Upon a medical examination, Neukgu's pulse and body temperature were normal, authorities said. Hundreds of rescue officials had been deployed to find the wolf, and there were several instances when authorities came close to apprehending him, but he managed to evade capture each time.
A video of the wolf scampering on a road in the dark, illuminated by vehicle headlights, gained traction on social media and added to the urgency of the search.
Authorities worked tirelessly after multiple tips, culminating in the wolf's eventual capture with a tranquilizer gun after he was spotted in the Anyeong-dong area.
The elusive Neukgu has even inspired a meme coin, dubbed as the 'wolf that wouldn't stay caged' and a 'symbol of independence.' Born in 2024 as part of a program to restore the Korean wolf population, Neukgu's life in captivity posed questions about his survival skills in the wild. Animal rights groups feared he might meet the same fate as Porongi, a puma who died during a capture in the same zoo back in 2018.
The incident captured the attention of the public, including South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung, who publicly expressed his hope for Neukgu's safe return. Following his capture, the Daejeon city government thanked all those involved in bringing Neukgu back safely, promising to provide updates on his health and future.
Upon a medical examination, Neukgu's pulse and body temperature were normal, authorities said. Hundreds of rescue officials had been deployed to find the wolf, and there were several instances when authorities came close to apprehending him, but he managed to evade capture each time.
A video of the wolf scampering on a road in the dark, illuminated by vehicle headlights, gained traction on social media and added to the urgency of the search.
Authorities worked tirelessly after multiple tips, culminating in the wolf's eventual capture with a tranquilizer gun after he was spotted in the Anyeong-dong area.
The elusive Neukgu has even inspired a meme coin, dubbed as the 'wolf that wouldn't stay caged' and a 'symbol of independence.' Born in 2024 as part of a program to restore the Korean wolf population, Neukgu's life in captivity posed questions about his survival skills in the wild. Animal rights groups feared he might meet the same fate as Porongi, a puma who died during a capture in the same zoo back in 2018.
The incident captured the attention of the public, including South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung, who publicly expressed his hope for Neukgu's safe return. Following his capture, the Daejeon city government thanked all those involved in bringing Neukgu back safely, promising to provide updates on his health and future.
