Escaped wolf 'Neukgu' safely recaptured; fishing hook found in stomach

The return of 'Neukgu,' the wolf that escaped from Daejeon O-World, brings a sense of relief to the city and its residents after ten days of public concern. While the zoo director has apologized for the distress caused, the successful capture, aided by crucial citizen tips and inter-agency cooperation, highlights the community's role in resolving such incidents.

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We are truly sorry to the public for the concern caused by this incident. We did our best for the safe capture of Neukgu, even if it took time.

However, the discovery of a 2.6 cm fishing hook lodged deep within Neukgu's stomach during veterinary examination has added a disturbing layer to this story. The successful removal of the hook through emergency endoscopy underscores the immediate risks the animal faced, not just from being in an unfamiliar environment, but from ingesting foreign objects. This raises questions about how Neukgu came to swallow such an item, whether before or after its escape.

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Initially, Neukgu underwent blood tests and X-rays. While the blood tests showed no particular abnormalities, the X-rays revealed a fishing hook about 2.6 cm long. We proceeded with an endoscopic examination, which found leaves, fish bones, and the fishing hook in its stomach. The hook was located very deep inside, and given its weakened state, there was a risk of an emergency situation, so we arranged for its removal at an animal hospital. It is currently recovering.

This incident is not the first of its kind for Daejeon O-World. The zoo's past failure to fundamentally change its practices after the tragic culling of a puma named 'Pporong-i' has been sharply criticized by environmental groups. The escape itself, attributed to Neukgu digging through its enclosure—a natural behavior for its species—points to a need for a comprehensive review of current housing conditions for all animals, ensuring they accommodate the inherent instincts and needs of each species.

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We thank the relevant agencies who worked for Neukgu's safe return, and the citizens who actively provided tips and showed concern. Neukgu will be housed in a separate area within the zoo and protected until its health recovers and it stabilizes.

From our perspective at Hankyoreh, this event serves as a critical reminder that animal welfare extends beyond mere containment. It demands a proactive approach to enclosure design, regular safety checks, and a deeper understanding of animal behavior. The focus must shift from simply preventing escapes to ensuring a truly enriching and safe environment for the animals, and by extension, for public safety. The 'Neukgu incident' should be a catalyst for substantial, systemic changes at O-World, not just a temporary fix.

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This incident should not be concluded as a mere happening. Although O-World is evaluated as a zoo with relatively good facilities and living conditions, the fact that similar accidents have repeatedly occurred without fundamental changes since the past incident of shooting the puma 'Pporong-i' clearly shows its limitations.