A 3.5-meter gray shark named Bukangi has been stranded in a Busan artificial waterway since September 18. Efforts by the South Korean Coast Guard to guide the animal back to the ocean failed on September 29.
Five Coast Guard vessels and the stubbornness of Bukangi
On Tuesday, September 29, 2026, the South Korean Coast Guard deployed five vessels to the North Port Waterfront Park in an attempt to herd a trapped gray shark back into the open sea. according to the AP, the shark, which has been dubbed "Bukangi," actively avoided the canal opening and instead swam in the opposite direction toward a bridge. This failure marks the end of a nearly two-week period during which the animal has remained within the artificial waterway.
The shark's refusal to leave has turned the North Port area into an impromptu wildlife exhibit. While the animal is approximately 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) long , the South Korean Coast Guard has noted that Bukangi has not displayed aggressive behavior toward humans nor caused any accidents during its stay in the canal. This lack of aggression has allowed the situation to evolve from a rescue mission into a public spectacle.
The tension between tourist crowds and aquarium capture
The presence of Bukangi in the Busan waterway has drawn thousands of tourists and created a social media sensation. As the AP reported, the shark has become an "honorary mascot" for the city's biggest port, with the animal's name reflecting the local North Port area. This surge in tourism has complicated the response , as the city must balance the animal's welfare with the public's fascination.
The prolonged entrapment has sparked a heated debate among officials and the public regarding the shark's fate. Some argue that the animal should be captured and moved to a local aquarium for its own safety and for public education. Others maintain that the priority must remain the shark's return to its natural habitat, despite the animal's apparent reluctance to exit the waterway.
The tragic precedent of Sangil's 2021 capture
The current debate over Bukangi is heavily influenced by a similar incident from 2021 involving a shark named Sangil.. In that instance, a shark of a different species entered a river and spent several weeks in a shallow bay before being captured and relocated to a tank at a local zoo. While the move was initially seen as a rescue, the outcome was grim; Sangil died in 2023 shortly after giving birth.
This historical parallel serves as a cautionary tale for Busan's current administration. The mayor of Busan has stated that officials are working to ensure the welfare of Bukangi, suggesting that the memory of Sangil's death may be tempering the city's eagerness to move the gray shark into a permanent captive environment.
Why Bukangi avoids the North Port opening
Despite the efforts of the South Korean Coast Guard , several critical questions remain regarding the shark's behavior. It is currently unknown why Bukangi consistently avoids the exit to the open sea or if the shark has become habituated to the artiicial environment of the North Port Waterfront Park.. Furthermore, the source does not provide a veterinary assessment of whether the shark is suffering from any illness or disorientation that prevents it from navigating out of the canal.
The situation remains a stalemate between the city's rescue teams and the animal's instincts. While the South Korean Coast Guard intends to continue its guiding operations, the lack of a clear biological reason for the shark's behavior leaves officials guessing as to whether Bukangi can be coaxed out or if capture is the only remaining humane option.
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