In brief
After evading capture for nine days, Neukgu, the runaway wolf from a South Korean zoo, has been successfully caught. Authorities undertook an extensive search and rescue operation, with hundreds involved. The animal's health appears stable after capture, and it has sparked a wave of public interest and even inspired a meme coin. Born as part of a program to restore the Korean wolf population, Neukgu's fate raised concerns among animal rights advocates.
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 a couple of times when authorities came close to getting him - but each time the net seemed to be closing in, Neukgu would slink away.
Authorities had nearly caught him earlier this week, when the local fire department received a report on Monday night that Neukgu had been spotted on a mountain about 2km (1.2 miles) away from O-World, the zoo and theme park from which he had broken loose.
A video of the wolf scampering on a road in the dark, illuminated by the headlights of a vehicle, circulated on social media as the public followed the dramatic chase.
The elusive Neukgu has inspired a meme coin, hailed by its creators as the wolf that wouldn't stay caged and a symbol of independence.
Born in 2024, Neukgu is part of a programme at O-World to restore the Korean wolf, which once roamed the Korean Peninsula but is now considered extinct in the wild. However, after a life in captivity, some worried that he wouldn't be able to survive in the wild.
Animal rights groups were also concerned that Neukgu would be killed during the capture process - a fear that has since been alleviated following his safe return.
Even South Korea's president Lee Jae Myung publicly prayed for Neukgu's safe return home, demonstrating the widespread concern for the wolf's welfare.
Authorities launched another search operation in the Anyeong-dong area on Thursday evening after receiving a tip-off. It was here they finally caught him by shooting him in the thigh with a tranquilliser gun from 20m (66ft) away before whisking him back to the zoo.
A video of the capture operation, posted by the Daejeon city government, revealed a limp Neukgu being hauled by rescuers and placed in a carrier. Authorities later shared images of a sedated Neukgu being attended to in a medical facility.
Authorities said Neukgu hadn't lost much weight and looked like he had eaten. A fishing hook found in his stomach was removed through endoscopic surgery.
The city government thanked all those who contributed to bringing Neukgu home, and for everyone who cheered them on during the hunt.
