OMM Newsroom
A female dusky shark that had been trapped for more than a month in a canal in Busan, South Korea, returned to the open sea on Oct. 21 after a successful rescue operation, AnewZ reported. Two previous attempts to guide it back to sea had failed.
The shark, which is about three metres long, was first spotted on Sept. 18 in an artificial waterway at Busan’s North Port. According to the Busan Infrastructure Corporation, the unusual visitor drew tourists’ attention, and more than 1.6 million people visited the coastal park by Oct. 20.
Concern about the shark’s condition grew after experts said there had been no confirmed sightings of it feeding and warned that falling water temperatures could make survival more difficult.
Third rescue attempt succeeds
Authorities tried to return “Bukangi” to the sea on Sept. 29 and Oct. 2, but both operations failed. In the first attempt, boats used water jets to guide the shark toward the canal exit. The operation was called off after about five hours when the animal repeatedly evaded the jets.
For the second attempt, a 50-metre net was lowered into the canal, but it became caught on the bottom. The shark then passed the obstruction and swam farther into the waterway.
On Oct. 21, rescuers changed their approach, using nets attached to floating platforms while divers helped guide the operation around uneven sections of the canal bed. Workers set up barriers to prevent the shark from turning back and gradually moved the platforms toward the sea.
Footage recorded earlier in the operation showed “Bukangi” staying near the platforms and nets for hours. Rescuers eventually managed to return it to the sea.
Busan Mayor Chun Jae-su had called “Bukangi” a symbol of the city and said he hoped the shark would safely return to its natural habitat.
Concerns about the shark’s condition
The National Institute of Fisheries Science identified “Bukangi” as a female dusky shark about three metres long. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the species as endangered.
No confirmed observations showed the animal feeding while it was trapped in the canal. Injuries were also found on its nose and right pectoral fin. They are thought to have been caused by contact with the concrete walls.
Choi Yoon, an ichthyologist and emeritus professor at Kunsan National University, said the shark had weakened as its energy reserves declined. He estimated that it might survive for only two weeks if its condition continued to deteriorate.
Crowds gathering at the canal may also have added to the shark’s stress. Reports said the animal reacted to bright lights at night.
Shark sightings increase off South Korea
“Bukangi’s” unexpected appearance raised questions about changing marine conditions around South Korea. Experts say warming seas may be contributing to an increase in sightings of large sharks.
According to the National Institute of Fisheries Science, 46 sightings of large sharks were recorded off South Korea’s east coast in the first half of 2026, compared with 12 during the same period in 2025.
Visitors who had made repeated trips to Busan to see “Bukangi” welcomed the successful rescue. Lee Min-jung, a 39-year-old travel content creator from Seoul, said she had travelled to Busan four times to see the shark.
“I’m relieved that it seems to have returned to the sea,” she said.
“Thank you. Don’t get sick,” she added.
