Authorities in Daejeon have launched an extensive search operation for a wolf that escaped from a local zoo, using thermal imaging technology and drones to locate the animal.
The two-year-old male wolf, named Neukgu, broke out of its enclosure at the Daejeon O-World zoo and theme park after digging beneath a perimeter fence. Officials say the animal has been roaming free for several days.
More than 300 personnel, including emergency responders, police and military units, have been deployed to track the wolf. Surveillance footage and thermal imaging have already detected movement in nearby wooded areas, suggesting the animal remains close to the facility.
As a precaution, a nearby elementary school was temporarily shut, and residents have been advised to remain vigilant and report any sightings.
Heavy rainfall has complicated the search, forcing temporary suspension of drone operations. Authorities continue to monitor the area closely using ground teams and imaging equipment.
President Lee Jae Myung addressed the situation publicly, expressing hope that the incident would end without harm to residents and that the animal would be safely recovered.
Zoo officials confirmed that Neukgu was part of a conservation initiative aimed at restoring the Korean wolf population, a species that has largely disappeared from the wild.
The unusual escape has also gained widespread online attention, with the wolf’s name trending across social media platforms.