The escaped wolf Neukgu is recovering after receiving treatment at an external medical facility Thursday. Courtesy of Daejeon City

A wolf that escaped from a zoo in Daejeon was captured alive nine days later after surviving in the wild by feeding on animal carcasses and drinking from nearby water sources, according to the authorities.

The escaped wolf Neukgu is seen recovering after veterinary treatment. Courtesy of Daejeon City

According to Daejeon city officials on April 17, the wolf, named Neukgu, was captured at around 12:44 a.m. near the Anyeong Interchange on the Daejeon Southern Ring Expressway, about 1 kilometer from Daejeon O-World, from where it had escaped.

The search intensified after a citizen reported spotting the animal near a hiking trail by Ppuri Park on the afternoon of April 16. The authorities initially mistook another animal for the wolf but later identified its location using a drone at around 11:45 p.m.

A team of veterinarians and zookeepers approached the wolf cautiously and fired a tranquilizer dart at 12:39 a.m. The dart struck the wolf in the thigh, and after staggering for about five minutes, the animal fell into a nearby waterway and was captured.

Officials check the condition of Neukgu after the wolf is transported back to Daejeon O-World, Thursday. Courtesy of Daejeon City

An official said, “The wolf was not moving much when we found it, which allowed us to hit it with the tranquilizer dart,” adding that “it appeared exhausted after failing to feed properly for about 10 days.”

Neukgu was transported to the zoo’s animal hospital and regained consciousness safely at around 4 a.m. Examinations showed normal pulse and body temperature, but further tests revealed a fish hook about 2.6 centimeters long lodged deep inside its stomach, along with leaves and fish bones.

Han So-young, head of Daejeon’s veterinary division, said during a briefing, “The fish hook was positioned deep inside, posing a risk of an emergency, so we sought cooperation from a hospital in Yuseong.” The wolf was later transferred to a secondary hospital, where the hook was safely removed via endoscopy.

Source: Korea Times News