South Korea deploys thermal imaging cameras in search for escaped zoo wolf
South Korea Mobilizes Technology to Track Escaped Zoo Wolf
Officials in South Korea have begun using thermal imaging cameras and drones to locate a wolf that has been missing for three days after fleeing from a zoo. The male wolf, named Neukgu, escaped from the Daejeon O-World zoo and theme park in the central city of Daejeon on Wednesday, according to authorities. His disappearance has prompted a coordinated effort involving over 300 personnel, including firefighters, police, and military members, to search for him.
Presidential Statement and School Closure
On Thursday, President Lee Jae Myung shared a message on X, expressing hopes for the safety of both humans and the animal. “I hope no human casualties occur and I pray that Neukgu also returns home safely,” he wrote. As a precaution, an elementary school near the zoo was temporarily shut down. Residents have been advised to remain vigilant and report any sightings of the wolf.
“Neukgu was part of a conservation initiative to revive the Korean wolf, a species believed extinct in the wild,” stated a source from the Korea Wildlife Protection Association. Thermal imaging footage revealed the wolf moving across a wooded area near the zoo on Wednesday, Reuters reported.
Search Challenges and Fence Damage
Authorities deployed drones early on Thursday but had to halt their use due to heavy rain, as noted by an official speaking to AFP. Zoo staff confirmed that the wolf had breached the enclosure by digging under the fence. “We inspect each habitat daily before opening, and one wolf was found missing,” said a representative from Daejeon O-World. “CCTV confirmed it had tunneled through the soil and escaped.”
The incident has sparked a viral reaction, with a meme coin named “Neukgu” emerging on decentralized cryptocurrency platforms in the past day. This parallels a 2023 event where a zebra named Sero escaped from a Seoul zoo, drawing similar public attention. Neukgu, born in 2024, was part of a program aimed at reviving the Korean wolf, a species thought to have vanished from natural habitats.