Korea’s zoos face reckoning after repeated deaths, escapes

“A string of animal deaths and escapes is intensifying calls for a sweeping overhaul of zoo operations in Korea, casting doubt on the effectiveness of a licensing law that replaced a looser registration system more than two years ago. The death of Bomunyi, a popular white lion cub at a Daejeon aquarium, was confirmed April 24, weeks after the animal died on April 2 at just 7 months old. The cause was identified as multiple cartilaginous exostosis, a rare hereditary joint disorder more commonly seen in white lions, which are frequently bred through repeated inbreeding to preserve their rare coloring. The case renewed criticism of exhibition-driven zoo practices, fueling calls for a shift toward animal welfare and conservation. Earlier on April 8, a wolf named Neukgu escaped from Daejeon O-World and was recaptured alive nine days later after surviving in the wild. The incident drew backlash over possible lapses in management. After the capture, the zoo released footage of the wolf eating, prompting further backlash from animal rights groups which accused the facility of once again turning

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