A young wolf named Neukgu has captured nationwide attention in South Korea after escaping from his enclosure at a zoo in Daejeon. The two-year-old animal dug under a fence at Daejeon O-World, sparking an intense search operation that has now lasted over a week.
Authorities quickly launched a large-scale effort to track the wolf. More than 300 personnel, including firefighters, police officers, and military units, joined the mission. Despite these efforts, Neukgu has managed to evade capture.
Search teams initially spotted him using thermal imaging cameras near the zoo. However, they lost track of him when a drone battery needed replacement. Days later, officials received reports of a sighting on a nearby mountain, about 2km from the zoo. A video showing a wolf running along a road at night briefly raised hopes, prompting another coordinated search.
Each time authorities appeared close to finding Neukgu, he disappeared again. His ability to avoid detection has made the operation increasingly difficult.
The search has also drawn strong public interest. Local residents have reported numerous sightings, although some turned out to be false alarms. In one case, schoolchildren mistook dogs for the escaped wolf. Another unusual incident involved a resident bringing a wolfdog to assist in the search without official coordination.
Adding to the confusion, an image circulating online appeared to show Neukgu roaming city streets. Authorities later confirmed the image was generated using artificial intelligence, forcing them to reassess search areas.
The situation has even sparked online trends, including a meme coin inspired by the wolf. Despite the attention and extensive resources deployed, Neukgu remains at large.
Officials continue to urge the public to report credible sightings while maintaining safety precautions.
