Shark Nicknamed Bukangi Returns to Sea After Third Rescue Attempt in Busan

A shark that had been trapped in a canal in Busan, South Korea, has returned to the sea after a third rescue attempt, Reuters reported on October 21, 2026.

Yonhap, South Korea's national news agency, reported the same day that Busan authorities guided the shark out of the canal on the third try. Busan authorities hope it will eventually make its way out to open sea.

The animal, nicknamed Bukangi, is a female dusky shark that the New York Times described as 10 feet long. It was first spotted on September 18 in a canal in North Port, a waterfront park area in central Busan. The canal runs close to high-rise buildings and a major high-speed rail station.

Earlier efforts to free it did not succeed. Reuters reported on September 30 that a rescue bid had failed, and on October 2 that the shark remained stranded after a second attempt ended. Before the third attempt, Korea JoongAng Daily reported that Busan authorities and the Coast Guard would carry it out.

The shark quickly drew public attention. The Associated Press reported that it drew more than a million visitors to the canal. AP also reported that Bukangi became an honorary mascot in Busan, which AP described as South Korea's biggest port city, and that city officials embraced the role.