Shark Stuck in South Korean Canal for Second Time

A massive dusky shark has slipped back into a narrow canal in South Korea's port city of Busan, prompting authorities to seek a new solution to free the animal.

The shark, nicknamed Bukangi, had been herded out of the canal on Wednesday after weeks of trial and error, but it swam right back in hours later. This reversal has led officials from the Oceans and Fisheries Ministry to stress that guiding Bukangi back to open water is crucial for its safety and health.

A previous attempt at rescuing the 3-meter-long (9.8-foot) female shark involved a team of dozens of workers maneuvering a floating platform through the canal to push it out. However, after lingering in nearby waters, the shark swam beneath an outer barrier net installed on the platform that night and re-entered the waterway.

The shark is now stuck between this net and another one about 50 meters (55 yards) into the mouth of the canal, with inspectors and rescuers at the scene debating ways to guide it back out as it circles a small patch of water.

The officials overseeing the operation to free the large gray shark from the canal are optimistic that Bukangi won't attempt to swim further upstream due to the dense netting and narrow waterway in that section.

Inspectors have observed that the shark has not been feeding regularly during its month-long stay in the canal, which is a cause for concern. Falling water temperatures could exacerbate this issue and pose additional health risks to the animal.

A decision on when to proceed with another rescue effort has yet to be made by local authorities in Busan. Despite the uncertainty surrounding Bukangi's situation, it remains a major tourist draw, attracting large crowds eager to witness its unusual predicament.

Since its initial sighting at North Port in mid-September, Bukangi has become an unlikely celebrity of sorts, with hundreds of onlookers gathering along the canal each day to watch the shark slowly circle the waterway.

South Korea's National Institute of Fisheries Science believes that the behavior of a huge gray shark trapped in a canal may be influenced by its proximity to one of Asia's busiest ports.

According to Kim Hyun-woo, a senior researcher at the institute, the narrow canal might appear as a safe space for the shark due to its distance from the bustling port area.

The North Port is a major hub for container and cruise traffic, which could contribute to an intimidating environment for the shark, said Kim. The noise from vessels, bright lights, and electric fields generated by nearby facilities and equipment may also be disrupting the shark's senses, he added.

Kim suggested that patience will be key in freeing the shark, allowing it time to adjust to the waters beyond the canal before venturing further out into the open sea.

The gray shark's return to the canal is seen as a setback for conservation efforts. The shark's size and swimming ability suggest it may be trying to find a more suitable environment.

Water temperatures in the Busan area were around 20 degrees Celsius on Thursday morning, which is within the range preferred by the dusky shark species. This temperature range allows the shark to thrive, feeding on fish and squid while roaming long distances.