Escaped Wolf Captured After 9-Day Manhunt in South Korea, Involving Hundreds of Police

The Central News Agency reported from Seoul on April 17 that South Korean authorities announced today that a male wolf that escaped from a zoo has been captured. The wolf had caused school closures and a nine-day large-scale search operation, with even AI-generated fake photos circulating, severely misleading the search direction and increasing the difficulty of the operation.

According to Agence France-Presse, the young male wolf named Neukgu escaped on April 8 from its enclosure at the O-World Zoo in the central city of Daejeon by digging a hole and had been on the run since.

Authorities deployed hundreds of police, drones, and thermal imaging cameras to track the elusive male wolf. Despite multiple sightings, it repeatedly managed to escape.

It was finally captured early this morning, and the Daejeon City Government posted on social media platform X: "Welcome back, #Neukgu!"

Yonhap News Agency quoted city officials as reporting that authorities finally captured the 30-kilogram male wolf after receiving a public tip-off about its sighting in a park in Daejeon City.

The report stated that authorities shot Neukgu with a tranquilizer gun and captured it alive. A video released by the city government showed rescuers carrying the seemingly drowsy Neukgu onto a bag at night and moving it into a cage.

The Daejeon City Government stated: "We thank everyone for their assistance in ensuring Neukgu's safe and healthy return. We also apologize for the anxiety and unease caused to the public by this incident." (Compiler: Chen Yuting) 1150417