A shark that became trapped in a narrow canal in Busan has turned an ordinary waterfront park into one of South Korea’s most unexpected tourist attractions.
More than 1 million people have visited the park to see the shark, which has been nicknamed “Bukang-i.” Despite two rescue attempts, the shark is still swimming in the canal nearly three weeks after it was first spotted.
How Did a Shark End Up in Busan’s Canal?
Bukang-i was first spotted on September 18, 2026, in a narrow artificial canal at North Port Waterfront Park in Busan, a major port city in southeastern South Korea.
The shark appears to have entered the canal while searching for food. However, because the waterway has a narrow and curved structure, it has not been able to find its way back to the open sea.
The shark was initially estimated to be around three meters long, immediately attracting the attention of local residents and visitors.
The nickname “Bukang-i” comes from “Bukhang,” the Korean name for North Port, combined with the affectionate Korean name ending “-i.”
As its popularity grew, Busan even designated Bukang-i as an honorary ambassador of the city.
More Than 1 Million People Came to See It
What began as an unusual animal sighting quickly became a tourism phenomenon.
Before the shark appeared, North Port Waterfront Park normally attracted around 2,000 visitors a day during holiday periods.
After Bukang-i arrived, visitor numbers surged.
During the Chuseok holiday in late September, an average of about 120,750 people visited the park each day from September 24 to 27.
By October 5, the cumulative number of visitors had reached approximately 1.02 million.
During the October 3–5 holiday weekend, tens of thousands of people continued to visit the park each day just to catch a glimpse of the shark.
The sudden crowds were so large that the park experienced heavy congestion and parking shortages.
Two Rescue Attempts Have Failed
Authorities have tried twice to guide Bukang-i back to the open sea.
The first major rescue attempt took place on September 29. Five vessels used streams of water to try to guide the shark toward the canal’s exit.
Bukang-i repeatedly avoided the boats, however, and the operation was stopped after about five hours.
A second attempt took place on October 2 using a specially prepared net measuring about 50 meters long and 6.8 meters high.
The rescue team managed to move the shark closer to the sea, but Bukang-i eventually crossed over the net and returned to the inner part of the canal. The net also became stuck on the bottom of the waterway.
Authorities eventually removed the net and decided to wait rather than immediately attempt another large-scale rescue.
Bukang-i Is an Endangered Shark
The story became even more interesting when South Korea’s National Institute of Fisheries Science identified the animal on October 6.
Bukang-i was confirmed to be a dusky shark (Carcharhinus obscurus), a species classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Researchers analyzed close-up footage of the shark and identified a distinctive ridge between its first and second dorsal fins, confirming the species.
The shark is approximately 3 meters long and female.
Researchers are checking Bukang-i’s health every day. So far, there have been no major signs of health problems, and the shark continues to swim normally.
When Will the Shark Leave?
For now, authorities are not planning another major rescue attempt.
Instead, they are monitoring Bukang-i and waiting for the shark to leave the canal on its own.
One important factor is water temperature. Researchers say the shark prefers water temperatures of around 18–26°C, while temperatures below roughly 15–16°C could make it difficult for the shark to remain in the canal.
Food availability could also influence when the shark eventually leaves.
For now, Bukang-i continues to swim through the canal while thousands of visitors gather around the waterfront hoping to see it.
An Unexpected Tourist Attraction
Busan is already one of South Korea’s best-known destinations, famous for its beaches, seafood, and coastal scenery.
But Bukang-i has created a completely unexpected attraction.
A shark that accidentally entered a narrow canal has attracted more than one million visitors, transformed a relatively quiet waterfront park into a crowded tourist spot, and become one of the most talked-about animals in South Korea.
For visitors, the experience is surprisingly simple: find a place beside the canal, wait for the water to move, and try to spot a three-meter-long shark swimming below.
And for now, the biggest question remains:
When will Bukang-i finally find its way back to the sea?
Source: Yonhap News Agency, October 6, 2026
Additional source: National Institute of Fisheries Science, October 6, 2026
Published: October 7,2026