Busan officials said the shark attracted millions of visitors.
A 9.8-foot female dusky shark named Bukangi is currently trapped between two barrier nets in a narrow canal in Busan, South Korea. Multiple attempts to guide the animal back to the open sea have failed.
An Unconventional Rescue in Busan’s Waters
Busan authorities and the South Korean Oceans and Fisheries Ministry launched an unconventional rescue operation on Wednesday. They used a floating platform to push the shark out of the waterway.
The operation failed when the shark swam beneath the outer barrier net and reentered the canal. Bukangi is now confined to a small section of the waterway. She is trapped between the outer net and a second net positioned approximately 55 yards into the canal mouth.
Falling Temperatures Threaten Shark During Rescue Attempts
Lee Gwang-seok, an official with the Oceans and Fisheries Ministry, stated that Bukangi is unlikely to slip past the dense network of barriers and move further up the narrow channel. This leaves very little room for movement.
Authorities noted that there are no signs the shark has fed regularly during its monthlong residency in the artificial waterway. Falling water temperatures introduce additional health risks.
Wednesday’s rescue operation marked the third attempt to free the animal. It followed previous failed efforts on September 29 and October 2 that utilized water-spraying boats and waterway nets.
Tourism Boom Meets Environmental Concerns
First spotted in mid-September within Busan’s North Port—a major hub for container and cruise traffic—Bukangi has transformed into an unexpected city mascot and tourist attraction.
Busan officials reported that the shark’s presence drew more than 1.7 million visitors to the canal. Hundreds of spectators lined the banks on Wednesday to observe the rescue attempt.
Busan Mayor Chun Jae-soo thanked the animal for generating publicity that would have otherwise cost “trillions”. Environmental activists, however, have linked the shark’s arrival in the canal to climate change and warming seas, which are pushing warm-water fish northward.
The Path Forward for Bukangi
Kim Hyun-woo, a senior researcher at South Korea’s National Institute of Fisheries Science, explained that the North Port’s heavy industrial traffic likely created an intimidating environment for the animal.
Kim noted that patience remains essential for the rescue effort, advising that the shark be given adequate time to adjust to the waters beyond the canal before attempting to swim further out to sea.
Authorities began a fresh operation on Thursday morning by raising the outer net to encourage the shark to leave the canal on its own terms.
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