South Korea: Celebrity shark guided out of Busan canal refuses to swim out to sea
A dusky shark nicknamed 'Bukangi' has become a local sensation in Busan, South Korea, after repeatedly returning to a canal despite rescue efforts. Authorities have concluded operations to guide the shark back to the open sea, noting that warming waters may lead to more shark sightings in the area.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the intersection of urban wildlife management and the broader environmental impact of rising ocean temperatures.
Figure caption, Watch: BBC follows operation to rescue shark stranded in South Korean canal
A famed dusky shark in South Korea is still lingering near a canal that it was guided out of on Wednesday.
The shark, nicknamed Bukangi, became an unlikely sensation after it was spotted swimming in a canal in the south-eastern port city of Busan last month. For weeks, rescuers tried in vain to get it back to the open sea using large nets.
On Thursday, authorities said they had reinforced barriers to prevent Bukangi from returning. But it has yet to swim out into the open sea, and has been circling back repeatedly to the mouth of the waterway.
Its rescue prompted mixed reactions in Busan, where some said the shark should stay while others felt it was better for it to go.
Headlinne story · 3 newsrooms
Celebrity Shark Returns to South Korea Canal After Rescue
What every outlet reported, where they differ, and how each framed it →
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in