A massive African land snail, known locally as ‘Nukgu,’ roamed free for nine days after escaping from its enclosure at Daejeon World before recapture. Officials discovered a 2.6cm dead mouse lodged in its stomach via X-ray, prompting immediate medical intervention.
Escape and Recapture Timeline
The snail broke free on April 8 from the Daejeon World snail safari exhibit by chewing through a barrier. It evaded capture until April 17, navigating tunnels and indoor areas while centering its activity around the facility. Search teams spotted it at 12:44 a.m. on the 17th near Daejeon city’s world tunnel, confirming no damage to cages, walls, or nearby structures.
Shocking X-Ray Discovery
During a precise veterinary examination, an X-ray revealed the 2.6cm mouse remains inside the snail’s stomach. Experts believe it swallowed the rodent while missing the outdoor path and foraging indoors.
Facility operators noted, “We detected mouse feces, fresh casings, and no food remnants in the area, indicating the mouse posed a significant health risk.” They added, “Blood tests and overall assessments show no other issues; the snail remains in stable condition at a recovery center.”
The giant snail now receives care in a separate protected space, with teams closely monitoring its progress.
