Celebrity Shark Returns to South Korea Canal After Rescue

Authorities in South Korea guided a stranded celebrity shark out of a Busan canal on Wednesday, but the animal swam back into the waterway hours later, prompting a new rescue operation.

The three-metre female dusky shark, nicknamed Bukang-i or Bukangi, had been trapped in the canal since September 18 and drew more than 1.6 million visitors to the south-eastern port city.

The animal became a national sensation and an unofficial mascot, boosting local tourism while drawing concern from officials and environmental groups over warming sea temperatures and the shark health.

“They bring fishing lamps, or the kind of lights people use at a campsite,” said Choi Won-jin, one of the shark protectors who patrolled the waterfront at night.

Rescue workers took more than eight hours on Wednesday to guide the shark toward open water using a net, after two earlier failed attempts to steer the animal out.

However, the shark broke through a barrier installed by authorities and swam back into the canal by Thursday morning, according to BBC reports.

“This shark has made this canal her home, and we are kicking her out unnecessarily,” said Cho Hannah, who travelled to see the shark.

Other residents expressed worry about the animal condition as it appeared gaunt and was not eating.

“It doesn't sit right with me that she keeps returning here,” said Shin Seungmin. “It will be best if Bukangi leaves, doesn't come back, and lives and feeds freely in the open sea.”

Rescuers freed the shark from a tight space between two layers of nets and fortified the remaining barrier.

Government officials concluded their main operations on Thursday afternoon while the shark continued to circle near the mouth of the waterway.