As the search for Neukgu, the wolf that escaped from the Daejeon O-World safari, drags on, the search team was reportedly thrown off early on by false tips.
On the 10th, police and fire authorities said that several tip-off photos of uncertain authenticity have been received since Neukgu's escape.
Police and fire authorities formed a 250-person search team and began the search after receiving a report of the wolf's escape on the morning of the 8th. During this process, a photo purportedly showing Neukgu's back taken near O-World Sageori was submitted, prompting an initial response that included setting up a situation room at a nearby elementary school. The Daejeon city government also sent a safety alert text saying, "It has been confirmed that the wolf went toward O-World Sageori."
However, that photo was found to be of uncertain authenticity. Afterward, authorities spotted Neukgu around Bomunsan near O-World, not at O-World Sageori.
On the 9th, a report also came in claiming Neukgu was seen in Cheongju, North Chungcheong. Fire authorities searched the area of the report for about an hour but found no traces.
The search team believes Neukgu is still roaming near O-World and is tracking using thermal imaging cameras and recordings of howling, among other methods.
In addition, photos are spreading online, including CCTV footage purportedly showing Neukgu leaping over the enclosure fence. Most of the photos are believed to have been created with Generative AI. In fact, more than 100 reports related to Neukgu have been filed with authorities, but most are said to be mistaken reports or based on fake photos.