In brief
A famed dusky shark, nicknamed Bukangi, that swam into a city canal in Busan drew half a million visitors and sparked a citywide debate over its fate. Rescuers spent more than eight hours guiding the 10‑foot creature out of the canal into open harbour, only for it to return after breaching a new barrier. Authorities now tether the shark with reinforced nets and are monitoring its health, while local citizens pick sides between keeping the creature as a tourist icon or releasing it to the sea. The incident highlights both the economic benefits of unexpected wildlife attractions and the complexities of managing marine animals in urban waters.
A famous dusky shark, named Bukangi, has attracted more than 1.6 million visitors to the port city of Busan after it appeared swimming in a canal last month.
Over the course of a month, rescue teams tried several times to guide the three‑metre (10‑foot) shark out of the waterway into the open sea using large nets, ultimately spending eight hours on Wednesday to move it into a harbour.
In the early hours of Thursday, the shark broke through a newly installed barrier and returned to the canal, prompting authorities to reinforce the remaining nets and keep the animal tethered inside the waterway.
Residents now debate whether the shark should remain as an unofficial city mascot or be released into the sea, with some expressing concern for its health after signs of injury and missing food have been reported.
Experts warn that warmer sea temperatures may bring more sharks to areas like Busan in the future, highlighting the need for careful management of marine wildlife in coastal towns.
