A massive manhunt is underway in South Korea’s central city of Daejeon after a male wolf escaped from the O-World theme park zoo on April 8, 2026. The animal, a 30-kilogram wolf born in 2024 and named “Leugu,” remains at large, sparking widespread panic among local residents.
The escape was discovered during a routine inspection on Wednesday, when staff noticed a gap in one of the enclosures. Surveillance footage revealed that the wolf had used its instincts to dig a hole through the soil at the base of the fence to facilitate its exit. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges zoos face in securing predatory animals within urban environments.
Authorities have mobilized a force of over 300 personnel, including police, firefighters and military members, to track the animal. While high-definition camera drones were initially deployed for aerial surveillance, persistent rain forced the drone teams to temporarily withdraw. Despite the weather, local media captured footage of the wolf wandering in the middle of a city street.
The security threat prompted the Daejeon Metropolitan Office of Education to take emergency measures. Due to the wolf’s proximity to residential areas and its potentially aggressive nature, the Daejeon Sanseong Elementary School was closed on April 9. By April 10, the school resumed classes, though parents were advised to assist with student transportation to ensure safety.
Efforts to recapture Leugu have included the use of loudspeakers to play recordings of other wolves to lure the animal back. According to O-World Director Lee Kwan-jong, the wolf had eaten two chickens prior to its disappearance, suggesting it could survive for approximately three to four days without further food.
Search operations have been complicated by a surge of misinformation. Officials reported over 100 false sightings and reports, some involving AI-generated images and unsubstantiated claims of the wolf appearing in other regions, such as Cheongju in North Chungcheong Province.
The search reached a critical point on the night of April 9, when a thermal imaging drone spotted Leugu in the mountains behind the zoo. Yet, the animal was lost again around 1:00 a.m. On April 10 and has not been seen since. This incident follows a pattern of animal escapes in South Korea, such as the 2023 case of “Sero,” a male zebra from the Seoul Zoo that became a global news story before being safely tranquilized in a narrow alley.
Local authorities have urged citizens to stay away from the animal and avoid attempting to drive it away. Anyone who spots the wolf is instructed to immediately contact emergency services by dialing 119.
