Dusky shark returns to South Korean canal after major rescue operation

BUSAN, SOUTH KOREA: A female dusky shark named Bukangi, which gained massive popularity after getting trapped in a canal in Busan, South Korea, has repeatedly returned to the waterway despite a major rescue operation to guide it back to the open sea. The three-metre-long shark was successfully herded out of the canal on Wednesday but broke through a barrier and swam back in on Thursday morning.

Bukangi was first spotted in the North Port Waterfront Park canal in mid-September and quickly became a local sensation, drawing millions of visitors. The city of Busan named the shark an honorary ambassador and deployed over 100 workers daily to monitor its health. However, experts raised concerns about the animal's well-being, noting it appeared injured with a bloodied snout and had not been eating during its month-long stay.

On Wednesday, rescue workers conducted a third attempt to free the shark, using a large floating platform and nets to guide it toward the harbour. Hundreds of onlookers watched the eight-hour operation, which initially appeared successful when the shark swam toward the open water. As reported by NBC News, Busan officials stated that the shark had attracted more than 17 lakh visitors during its time in the canal. Despite the reinforced nets, Bukangi managed to return to the canal on Thursday, prompting authorities to fortify the barriers once again.

The unusual presence of a dusky shark, a species categorised as endangered on the IUCN Red List, in these waters has sparked a broader conversation about marine ecosystems and climate change. According to South Korea’s meteorological service, sea surface temperatures around the Korean Peninsula have risen by 0.7°C over the past decade, which is more than twice the global average. The National Institute of Fisheries Sciences (NIFS) recorded 46 shark sightings in the eastern waters by mid-2026, nearly four times the number reported in 2025, attributing the increase to warming waters driving prey species northward.

Public reaction in Busan has been divided. Some residents, like Cho Hannah, felt the shark should remain, calling it a rare gift and stating, This shark has made this canal her home, and we are kicking her out unnecessarily. Others, like Yoon In-taek, supported the rescue, noting, Bukangi seemed much larger when I first saw her... Now she seems gaunt. Busan Mayor Chun Jae-soo expressed hope for the animal's future, writing, We hope Bukangi can live a healthy life in the blue sea.

While the rescue operation has officially concluded, Bukangi continues to circle the mouth of the canal, leaving authorities to monitor the situation. The event has highlighted both the public's fascination with urban wildlife and the shifting ecological realities in South Korea's coastal waters.