Bukangi the shark: freed from Busan canal, but swam back as millions visit
A three-metre female dusky shark got stuck in a canal in Busan, South Korea, in September. A third rescue attempt got her out, but she soon swam back in.
Author: Editorial teamPublished: 2 min read
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The story of a shark that Busan residents named Bukangi has held media attention for weeks. The animal became stuck in a narrow harbour canal in the South Korean city and turned into a local attraction. Officials are still trying to guide her to the open sea.
A shark in the canal
The shark was spotted on 18 September in a canal in the Buk-hang port district. South Korea's fisheries science institute identified her as a three-metre female dusky shark (Carcharhinus obscurus). The name Bukangi comes from the name of the district.
She drew crowds. The Korea Times reported that more than a million people had seen her. According to city authorities' estimates, cited by tvn24.pl, more than 1.6 million visitors came over the month.
Why she could not stay
It was clear from the start that the canal was not a suitable place for the shark. Reuters, citing Busan authorities, reported that she was not eating and that falling water temperatures could harm her health. She also had minor injuries to her fin and mouth.
Two earlier rescue attempts, on 29 September and 2 October, failed. Officials had hoped she would swim out on her own, but she did not.
The third attempt and the return
On the third try, the rescue team used a net attached to a flat floating platform and steered the shark towards the Marina bridge. The operation began at about 10am local time. At about 6pm the shark was seen near one of the quays. Yonhap noted that the waters there are not considered open sea.
In the following days, local media reported that Bukangi had swum back into the canal. According to the sources, earlier attempts also did not lead to her swimming away, and the BBC asks whether the shark will finally return to the sea.
A signal for scientists
Residents and officials have treated the shark as an unofficial mascot of the port. Experts cited by tvn24.pl point out, however, that the presence of a warm-water species in these waters is worrying. Warming seas are pushing tropical animals northwards.
At the time of publication, it is not known whether the shark will reach open water.
Sources
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Photos
- Cover: „shark, sea, ocean, water, underwater”, author: PIRO4D, licence Pixabay Content License; cropped or resized.
- Photo 1: „venice, canal, nature, grand canal, venice italy”, author: llipkind, licence Pixabay Content License; cropped or resized.
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