Rescue operations have commenced to free a sizable shark that has been stranded in a narrow canal in South Korea for over a week, becoming an unexpected draw for tourists in the area.
Since the 3.5-meter shark, affectionately named Bukang-i after Busan’s North Port, was first observed on September 18 in the waterway at a riverside park, the southern port city of Busan has seen an influx of more than 600,000 visitors.
Experts believe the creature is a bronze whaler shark that followed its prey from the ocean into the canal but was unable to find a way back out.
On the day the shark was discovered, the local coastguard attempted to guide it out of the canal. However, the operation was halted after six hours due to concerns from scientists who advised that such efforts might endanger the animal or provoke aggressive behavior.
On Tuesday morning, coastguard vessels employed a technique similar to one used in a 2004 rescue of a great white shark in Massachusetts, spraying jets of water behind the shark in an attempt to drive it toward the canal’s exit. Unfortunately, this initial effort was unsuccessful as the shark evaded the boats and returned to the canal, as reported by the Herald Business.
The fisheries institute confirmed that the shark remains stable, but officials expressed concern regarding its limited ability to feed and move, which could lead to deterioration over time.
Sharks are not uncommon in South Korean waters. In the first half of this year, the national institute of fisheries science documented 46 large sharks off the eastern coast, nearly quadruple the number from the previous year, attributing this surge to warmer ocean temperatures and an increase in their prey.
Typically, the North Port Waterfront Park attracts about 2,000 visitors daily during holidays, but between September 19 and 28, it recorded a remarkable 607,000 visits, according to city officials.
On Tuesday, 62-year-old Kim Jung-sook visited to bid farewell to the shark, sharing her feelings with the Maeil Shinmun newspaper: “I’ve grown attached to it after seeing it here for a few days… I feel a bit sad.”
Busan’s mayor, Chun Jae-soo, also expressed his admiration, stating, “It really has star quality. It comes up every five to ten minutes. It’s just so pretty,” in an interview with CBS radio.
The city has designated the shark as an honorary ambassador for publicity, giving it the title “Shafluencer” after 91% of participants in an Instagram poll supported the initiative. Boogi, the city’s mascot, will accept the honorary certificate on behalf of the shark.
Eight-year-old Lee Do-yoon, who came to say goodbye with his father, was unfazed by the situation, saying, “It’s OK. Bukang-i is going to meet its friends.”
