The search for the wolf ‘Neukgu’ that escaped from Daejeon O-World Zoo has continued into a third day, but it is struggling with no clear leads.

On the 10th, search authorities including the fire department and police deployed a total of 15 pieces of equipment, including nine thermal-imaging drones, and mobilized personnel from the fire service, police, military, and experts to conduct intensive searches by dividing the Bomunsan area into sectors. Police have stationed about 70 people in nearby areas including the Healing Forest and Musudong.

However, as many unverified tips have been received, they are responding cautiously, dispatching only after verification by veterinarians and experts. It is reported that the number of false or mistaken reports received so far has exceeded 100.

Neukgu has not eaten for three days since the last meal, and authorities consider it likely that, being very startled and exhausted, its range of activity may be limited. Accordingly, around O-World they have installed five baited devices and are also broadcasting, via loudspeakers, the howls of the wolf it had lived with to induce capture.

Around 1:30 a.m. the previous day, a thermal camera near O-World captured an individual believed to be Neukgu, but the capture attempt failed. No additional traces have been confirmed since.

Sightings from other areas, including Cheongju in North Chungcheong Province, have also continued. At around 6:50 p.m. the previous day, a report stating “I saw a wolf in Simok-ri, Hyeondo-myeon, Cheongju” was received and a search was conducted, but it did not lead to an actual discovery. The area is about 23㎞ from O-World.