Stubborn Shark in South Koreas Busan Refuses to Return to Sea After Three Weeks

Busan, October 6 (Daily Kiran) : A shark named ‘Bukangi’ has become a source of frustration for authorities in Busan, South Korea. Measuring 3.5 meters in length, this shark has stubbornly refused to return to the sea after entering a narrow canal at the North Port nearly three weeks ago. Despite two attempts to guide it back to open waters, Bukangi has remained in the same waterway.

The name ‘Bukangi’ is derived from the Korean name for Busan’s North Port, ‘Bukhang,’ combined with the suffix commonly used in local names. Since it was first spotted on September 18, Bukangi has not only posed a rescue challenge for local officials but has also attracted the attention of thousands. By Saturday, over 700,000 people had visited to catch a glimpse of the shark.

The first rescue attempt took place on September 29, where officials aimed to use the canal’s strong currents to gently push the shark toward the mouth of the canal. For five hours, five boats and water pumps were deployed in a concerted effort, but Bukangi repeatedly evaded capture, returning to the canal instead.

On October 2, officials tried a different strategy by deploying a 50-meter-long and 6.8-meter-high net. The plan was to use the net to gradually guide the shark out to sea. However, this attempt also failed, as the net became stuck on the canal’s bottom, forcing authorities to abandon the operation after two hours of effort.

The following day, officials were astonished to find that Bukangi had crossed the net and returned to the canal, despite their attempts to keep it out. This has raised questions not only about how to capture the shark but also about the safety and ethics of forcing it back to the ocean.

Local officials previously expressed concern that Bukangi had not been observed feeding while in the canal, fearing that prolonged confinement could weaken the shark. However, inspections by the National Fisheries Research Institute indicated that its activity and breathing were stable.

Public interest in Bukangi has been extraordinary. Following its first sighting, hundreds of thousands flocked to see the shark, especially during the Chuseok holiday, when nearly 483,000 visitors arrived at the waterfront park over four days—about 50 times more than typical holiday attendance.

In light of this fascination, the city of Busan has even appointed Bukangi as an honorary promotional ambassador, transforming the stubborn shark into a symbol of the city.

Meanwhile, sightings of large sharks in South Korean waters have drawn attention from experts, some of whom attribute these occurrences to rising ocean temperatures.

The story of Busan’s ‘stubborn’ guest continues. With the sea just a short distance away, rescue teams have made two attempts, and over 700,000 people have come to see Bukangi. Yet, the shark remains unfazed.