(SeaPRwire) –   A wolf that escaped a South Korean zoo nine days ago, drawing international attention, has been located and safely returned.

Named Neukgu, the animal burrowed its way out of the O-World zoo and theme park in Daejeon, south of Seoul, on April 8.

The search for Neukgu kept the nation on edge, with many concerned for the 2-year-old wolf’s fate, especially eight years after a puma named Bbo-rong was shot and killed mere hours after escaping the same zoo.

Neukgu was sighted multiple times before his capture, including on surveillance video.

A zoo official also reported that he was seen near a highway, almost 3 miles from the zoo.

The animal was captured just after midnight on Friday, having been tranquilized by a veterinarian using a dart gun.

Zoo officials stated that his vital signs were normal after a health check, though a fishhook was removed from his stomach.

Neukgu, born in captivity in 2024, is part of a breeding program aimed at increasing the population of the Korean wolf, a species considered extinct in the wild.

He is a third-generation descendant 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 gratitude to those involved in the search for Neukgu’s safe return and pledged on Facebook to “prepare measures for animal welfare and civil safety in the process of reorganising (the zoo).”

The extensive search operation included the use of drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras.

Neukgu had previously evaded capture, escaping a perimeter set for him on a mountain near the zoo.

South Koreans were captivated by Neukgu’s escape, with some referring to him as an “honorary ambassador for the zoo.” He even inspired an eponymous cryptocurrency meme.

Fans of the wolf took to social media after his rescue, posting messages like “welcome back” and “Neukgu, it’s dangerous outside the house.”

Following Neukgu’s escape last week, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung wrote on X, “Currently, the police, fire services, and military are mobilizing their full resources to ensure a safe capture and return. I sincerely hope that no casualties occur, and I pray that Neukgu, too, returns safely and unharmed.”

O-World remains closed after Neukgu’s return and is facing scrutiny following a series of animal escapes. A nearby elementary school also briefly closed for safety reasons after the wolf’s escape.

Lee Kwan Jong, director of O-World, stated that Neukgu will be kept separate from the other animals until he has recovered.

Zoo officials are uncertain when O-World will reopen as they review security measures, and the director added that Neukgu’s health will take precedence.

Reuters and