Daejeon's Elusive Wolf: Neukgu Rescued After Nine-Day Adventure

Fri Apr 17 2026 10:07:43 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

After an extensive nine-day search that captured national attention, Neukgu, the runaway wolf from a South Korean zoo, has finally been captured. Authorities confirm the wolf is healthy post-capture.

Neukgu, a two-year-old wolf who escaped from a zoo in Daejeon, South Korea, has been successfully captured after evading rescue efforts for nine days. The city officials announced his capture occurred near an expressway, where he was found healthy and unharmed, apart from a fishing hook that was surgically removed. Hundreds of rescue personnel were involved in the search, which garnered widespread public interest and even influenced social media trends. The wolf, now back at the zoo, symbolizes resilience and sparked a meme coin celebrating his tenacity.

Daejeon's Elusive Wolf: Neukgu Rescued After Nine-Day Adventure

After an extensive nine-day search that captured national attention, Neukgu, the runaway wolf from a South Korean zoo, has finally been captured. Authorities confirm the wolf is healthy post-capture.

On Friday at 00:44 local time (16:44 GMT), Neukgu was captured near an expressway in Daejeon, the city where he escaped. Upon medical examination, officials reported that the wolf’s pulse and body temperature were normal.

Hundreds of rescue officials took part in the search to find Neukgu, who had slipped away from his home in O-World, a zoo and theme park in Daejeon. Despite several close encounters, he managed to evade capture, further fueling the public's interest.

Images and videos of Neukgu’s adventures during the search became popular on social media, with the wolf being hailed as a symbol of independence. Authorities even issued prayers for his safe return.

Finally, during a coordinated effort in the Anyeong-dong area, rescues successfully tranquillized Neukgu before transporting him back to the zoo. Notably, he had not lost significant weight and appeared to be healthy.

Images from the capture revealed Neukgu being attended to by authorities after sedation. The excitement surrounding his return has sparked various memes and a meme coin celebrating his brave escape.

Neukgu’s saga is a reminder of the intertwining relationship between wildlife and urban life and how rescue efforts bring communities together in moments of crisis.