Translated with AI
In South Korea, a wolf named Nykku, who escaped from the O-World Zoo in Daejeon, was found after nine days of searching. His disappearance sparked widespread public outcry, and the search operation was followed by virtually the entire country, the BBC reports.
According to sources, on April 8, the animal dug a tunnel under the fence and escaped the zoo grounds. The facility was subsequently closed, and more than 300 people, including police, firefighters, and military personnel, joined the search.
The Nykku belongs to the Korean subspecies of wolf (Canis lupus coreanus), also known as the Himalayan wolf (Canis lupus chanco). These animals are rarely found in the wild in the country.
O-World Zoo is participating in a program to restore this species' population. In 2008, seven wolves were brought there from Russia's Saratov region. Nykku is a descendant of these animals: he was born in January 2024 and was at the zoo until his escape.
The search was complicated by weather conditions: due to warmer temperatures, thermal imaging cameras could only effectively record the animal at night. The wolf was spotted near the zoo the very next day after its escape, but its trail was subsequently lost.
Local residents also joined the search, but not all of their efforts were helpful—it was reported that schoolchildren mistook ordinary dogs for the wolf.
To attract Nykka, zoo staff began broadcasting wolf howls and announcements to visitors, which he had become accustomed to from an early age. A video later appeared on social media showing the animal running down the road in the headlights of cars, but the zoo was unable to capture him.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung commented on the situation, expressing hope that the incident would be without casualties and that the wolf would return unharmed.
The decisive phase of the operation began late Thursday evening, when reports of an animal sighting near the highway were received. At 12:15 AM Friday, specialists began preparing tranquilizers, at 12:39 AM a dart was fired, and at 12:44 AM the wolf was captured.
Nykka was then taken to the zoo, where he was examined by veterinarians. His pulse and breathing were normal, but an X-ray revealed a fishing hook in his stomach. It was removed endoscopically.
According to experts, the wolf has no serious health issues. He is currently recovering and is being temporarily kept separately from other animals.
There is no word yet on when the zoo will reopen.
