The Escape and Initial Response
A two-year-old male wolf named Neukgu captured South Korea's attention last week when he burrowed under a fence at Daejeon O-World zoo and theme park in the central city of Daejeon, according to officials and multiple reports. The wolf, part of a conservation programme aimed at restoring the Korean wolf—a species considered extinct in the wild—was on the run for nine days before being caught.
Over 300 personnel, including firefighters, police officers, and military troops, were mobilised to search for the animal, Daejeon Fire Headquarters said. The day after his escape, Neukgu appeared on thermal imaging cameras as a glowing blob weaving through foliage near the zoo, according to footage provided by the Korea Wildlife Protection Association and reported by Reuters. Drone cameras were deployed early on but were withdrawn due to heavy rain, an official told AFP.
The Search and Public Engagement
The search for Neukgu became a national event, with social media and local residents playing significant roles. Authorities received dozens of reported sightings, including some false alarms from elementary school children who mistook dogs for the wolf, as reported by the Chosun Daily. A video of the wolf scampering on a road in the dark, illuminated by a vehicle's headlights, was uploaded on social media and prompted authorities to launch a search-and-rescue mission, but Neukgu eluded capture each time.
The wolf's escape also inspired a meme coin, named "Neukgu," which appeared on decentralised cryptocurrency exchanges within days, as reported by media outlets. The coin was hailed by its creators as the "wolf that wouldn't stay caged" and a "symbol of independence."
The AI Image Misstep
A significant twist in the search came when a 40-year-old man was arrested by South Korean police for sharing an AI-generated image that purportedly showed Neukgu trotting down a road intersection. The photo, circulated hours after Neukgu went missing, prompted the Daejeon city government to issue an emergency text warning residents of a wolf near the intersection and caused authorities to urgently relocate their search operation, as reported by local media. The man told police he had done it "for fun," and he is being investigated for disrupting government work by deception, an offence that carries up to five years in prison or a maximum fine of 10 million Korean won.
The Capture and Aftermath
Neukgu was captured near an expressway on Friday at 00:44 local time, according to the government of Daejeon. Upon medical examination, his pulse and body temperature were normal, authorities said. The capture ended a nine-day search that had involved hundreds of rescue officials and included moments when authorities nearly caught him—once on a mountain about 2km from the zoo—but each time he slipped away.
The escape and search also raised concerns among animal rights groups, who feared Neukgu might be killed during capture, a fate that befell Porongi, a puma that escaped from the same zoo in 2018. South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung publicly prayed for the wolf's safe return, posting on X: "I hope no human casualties occur and I pray that Neukgu also returns home safely."
Perspectives
- Conservationists emphasised Neukgu's role in efforts to restore the Korean wolf, a species extinct in the wild, and hoped for his safe return to the programme.
- Animal rights groups expressed concern about the capture methods and recalled the 2018 incident with Porongi, urging humane handling.
- Authorities and officials focused on public safety and employed diverse tools, including thermal imaging and drones, while cautioning residents to report sightings.
- The public showed both concern and amusement, with the meme coin and social media engagement reflecting a mix of sympathy and fascination with the wolf's escapade.