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A city in South Korea seeks new ways to free a huge gray shark after it slips back into canal
NBC News • • world
Key Points:
- A 9.8-foot female dusky shark named Bukangi has been trapped in a narrow canal in Busan, South Korea, for over a month, prompting multiple rescue attempts by local authorities.
- On Wednesday, workers used a floating platform and barrier nets in an effort to push Bukangi back to open water, but the shark swam back into the canal by slipping under the outer net.
- Bukangi is currently stuck between two nets near the canal’s mouth, with officials debating new strategies to guide it out while noting the shark’s health may be at risk due to lack of feeding and dropping water temperatures.
- The shark has become a major tourist attraction, drawing over 1.7 million visitors and inspiring Busan officials to make Bukangi a city mascot.
- Previous rescue attempts involving boats and nets were unsuccessful as Bukangi avoided the boats and swam over the nets, highlighting the challenges faced in safely freeing the shark.
