Escaped wolf captured in South Korea after nine-day search

Seoul. A wolf that escaped from a South Korean zoo has finally been found. Authorities were able to capture the two-year-old wolf, named Nukgu, after a nine-day search.

The wolf, which escaped from O-World Zoo in Daejeon city, was captured near an expressway early Friday morning. Officials stated that during a health check, the wolf's heart rate and body temperature were normal, and it is in good health.

Hundreds of rescue workers were deployed to search for Nukgu. During the search, the wolf came close to being found several times but managed to escape. A video of the wolf running on the road went viral on social media, drawing significant attention.

This wolf was born as part of a program to reintroduce a species that had gone extinct on the Korean Peninsula. Animal rights activists were concerned about Nukgu's safety, recalling an incident in 2018 where a leopard that escaped from the same zoo was killed during capture. Even South Korean President Lee Jae-myung had prayed for Nukgu's safe return via social media.

Ultimately, based on a specific tip received on Thursday evening, an operation was launched in which the wolf was tranquilized and captured. The Daejeon city government has thanked all the rescue workers who worked for Nukgu's safe return and the citizens who expressed their concern.