Daejeon O-World has halted the release of photos and videos of the wolf ‘Neukgu’, who escaped from the zoo, was captured alive, and returned. It appears to have felt burdened by excessive attention to Neukgu and criticism over commercialism.

O-World, through a notice posted on its website and social media on the 22nd, stated, “Thanks to the concern and interest many people have shown, Neukgu is stabilizing quickly,” and “We have determined that above all else Neukgu needs a calm and quiet environment at present, so we have decided not to conduct any photo or video shoots of Neukgu for the time being.”

Since the 18th, the day after Neukgu was captured and returned, O-World had been posting daily on its website and social media, sharing photos·videos of Neukgu along with information such as his food intake and health status. However, after a video of Neukgu eating was released on the 20th, some internet users pointed out issues such as the conditions of the enclosure where he is temporarily staying and the practice of feeding on a cement floor, sparking controversy.

In response to the unexpected controversy, O-World explained, “As wild animals, wolves are not normally provided food in separate containers, and because Neukgu is currently in a sensitive state, he does not eat well unless food is provided in the usual manner,” and added, “The location in the video is a temporary isolation space, and after recovery we plan to move him to the wolf safari where he originally lived.”

Alongside the controversy driven by excessive attention to Neukgu, there was also criticism that he is being used for commercial purposes. AWARE, the Animal Welfare Issues Research Institute, stated, “O-World is continuing to draw interest by releasing daily updates on Neukgu’s health status, food intake, and meal videos, and it is reported that Daejeon City is even reviewing a plan to use Neukgu as a representative character for the city,” and pointed out, “What Daejeon City should do now is not ‘Neukgu marketing’ but a comprehensive inspection of animal welfare and safety at zoos within its jurisdiction.”

The Daejeon Chungnam Green Federation also stated, “Public interest in Neukgu’s escape and safe return should lead to improvements in the exhibition environment of wild animals displayed in zoos and to a fundamental shift in the functions of zoos,” adding, “There should be no ‘crowd drawing’ using Neukgu.”

On the 20th, the Geumgang Basin Environmental Office issued O-World an administrative order under the ‘Act on the Management of Zoos and Aquariums’. Under this order, O-World must investigate the cause of the wolf escape and submit an action plan including measures to prevent recurrence. The environmental authorities plan to conduct an on-site joint inspection of O-World going forward, and use of O-World facilities will be suspended until all measures are completed.

O-World stated, “We will provide an update again when Neukgu’s condition is sufficiently stable and he has returned to his original home where he can stay comfortably,” and added, “Please watch over him so that he can return to a comfortable daily life.”