A giant shark that became an unexpected attraction in South Korea has once again found itself trapped in a narrow canal, frustrating rescuers who had spent weeks trying to guide it back to open water.
The female dusky shark, nicknamed Bukangi, measures nearly 10 feet long and had been swimming in a canal in the port city of Busan for about a month. After a difficult rescue operation appeared to succeed on Wednesday, the shark returned to the waterway just hours later, forcing officials to reconsider their approach.
Authorities in Busan and South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries remain determined to get Bukangi safely out of the canal. Officials are concerned that the shark may not be feeding properly and that falling water temperatures could threaten its health.
A rescue effort that took an unexpected turn
Wednesday’s operation brought together dozens of workers who carefully maneuvered a floating platform through the narrow canal. Their goal was to guide Bukangi toward the open sea without harming the animal.
For a while, the plan appeared to work. The shark left the canal and remained in nearby waters for several hours. But later that night, it slipped beneath a protective net attached to the platform and swam back into the waterway.
Bukangi is now confined to a small section near the canal entrance, between two nets positioned to prevent it from moving farther inland. Rescuers and inspectors have been discussing how to direct the shark back toward open water while avoiding another unsuccessful attempt.
Lee Gwang-seok, an official with the Oceans and Fisheries Ministry, said the dense net barriers and the narrow passage should make it difficult for the shark to travel farther into the canal.
Officials have not announced when the next rescue attempt will take place.
A month in the canal raises concerns
Bukangi was first spotted in mid-September near Busan’s North Port, whose Korean name inspired the shark’s nickname. Since then, the animal has repeatedly circled the canal, with its dorsal fin breaking the surface as curious onlookers gathered along the water.
Although the shark’s unexpected appearance has fascinated the public, its prolonged stay has raised concerns among marine officials. There have been no clear signs that Bukangi has been feeding regularly, and the cooling water could create additional risks for its health.
Dusky sharks are large marine predators that generally inhabit coastal and offshore waters. Remaining in a confined waterway for an extended period can limit an animal’s ability to move freely and find suitable food.
Rescuers therefore face a difficult challenge: they must find a way to guide Bukangi out without causing further stress or driving it deeper into the canal.
From stranded shark to local celebrity
Despite the uncertainty surrounding its rescue, Bukangi has become one of Busan’s most unusual attractions.
City officials even adopted the shark as a mascot, and they say more than 1.7 million people have visited the canal to catch a glimpse of it. Hundreds of spectators gathered again on Wednesday to watch the latest rescue attempt.
The operation was the third effort to free Bukangi. Earlier attempts on September 29 and October 2 involved boats spraying streams of water and nets positioned across the narrow waterway. Each time, the shark managed to avoid the boats or pass over the barriers.
Now, after another unexpected setback, rescuers must develop a new strategy.
For the people who have followed Bukangi’s story, the hope is that the shark’s time in the canal will soon come to an end. Officials say getting it safely back to open water remains the priority, even as the animal continues to evade their efforts.