A wolf that escaped from a South Korean zoo nine days ago and attracted international attention has been found and returned safely.
Neukgu pushed his way out of the O-World zoo and theme park in Daejeon, south of Seoul, on April 8.
The search for Neukgu kept the country on edge, with many concerned about the two-year-old wolf, eight years after a puma named Bbo-rong was shot and killed hours after escaping from the same zoo.
Neukgu was seen several times before his capture, including on surveillance video.
CHIMPANZEE RECEIVED FROM INDIANAPOLIS ZOO ENVIRONMENT, CAUSE OF EMERGENCY LOCKDOWN
Neukgu was on the run for nine days before he was captured. (Daejeon Municipality via AP; Daejeon City Corporation/Reuters)
He was also spotted near a highway nearly three miles from the zoo, a zoo official said.
The animal was captured just after midnight on Friday after being shot by a vet with a tranquilizer gun.
His vital signs were normal after a health check, but a fishhook was removed from his stomach, zoo officials said.
Neukgu after being captured. (Daejeon City Corporation/Reuters)
CALIFORNIA 4-year-old boy survives attack from coyote who bit and tried to drag him away
Neukgu, born in captivity in 2024, is part of a breeding program to boost the numbers of the Korean wolf, which is considered extinct in the wild.
A veterinarian examines the condition of a male wolf named Neukgu at the Daejeon O-World theme park in Daejeon, South Korea, April 17, 2026. (Daejeon Municipality/AP)
He is one of the third generation of wolves brought to South Korea from Russia to reintroduce an animal similar to the Korean wolf, which became extinct in the 1960s.
Daejeon Mayor Lee Jang-woo expressed his gratitude to those involved in the quest to safely return Neukgu, pledging on Facebook to “prepare animal welfare and civil security measures during (the zoo’s) reorganization process.”
DOG CRASHES WOMEN’S OLYMPIC TEAM SPRINT RACE, KRIST FINISH IN CHAOTIC MOMENT
An extensive search was conducted for drones with thermal imaging cameras.
Neukgu escaped an earlier attempt at capture when he evaded a perimeter set up for him on a mountain near the zoo.
South Koreans were captivated by Neukgu’s escape, with some calling him an “honorary ambassador for the zoo.” He even spawned a cryptocurrency meme of the same name.
Veterinarians and staff examine Neukgu at the Daejeon O-World theme park in Daejeon, South Korea, April 17, 2026. (Daejeon Municipality/AP)
Fans of the wolf took to social media after his rescue, writing “welcome back” and “Neukgu, it’s dangerous outside the house.”
Following Neukgu’s escape last week, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung wrote on
O-World remains closed following Neukgu’s return and comes under scrutiny following a series of animal escapes. A nearby primary school was also briefly closed for safety reasons after the wolf’s escape.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Lee Kwan Jong, director of O-World, said Neukgu will be kept separate from the other animals until he recovers.
Zoo officials said they are unsure when O-World will reopen while they review safety measures, and the director added that Neukgu’s health will take priority.
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
