Overview
- The dusky shark nicknamed "Bukang‑i" has been trapped in Busan’s North Port canal since Sept. 18 and drew more than 1.6 million visitors to the site.
- Authorities mounted two earlier nonlethal attempts on Sept. 29 and Oct. 2 that failed after water‑jet steering and a large net were unable to keep the shark moving toward the exit.
- On Wednesday officials began a third, staged effort using a net fixed to pontoons, one vessel towing the barrier, another spraying water jets, on‑pontoon staff to block leaping, plus drones and divers to monitor the operation.
- Scientists and the National Institute of Fisheries Science report the shark has not been seen feeding and shows injuries and stress, and ichthyologist Choi Yoon warned the animal may have only about two weeks of survival as water temperatures fall.
- The rescue has created a local tourism boom and raised crowd‑control and animal‑welfare challenges, and environmental groups say the episode highlights possible climate‑linked shifts in marine species ranges.