Bukangi
 | |
| Species | Copper shark |
|---|---|
| Title | Honorary ambassador of Busan |
| Height | 350 cm (11 ft 6 in) |
Bukangi (Korean: 부캉이) is a copper shark that has been trapped in the canal of North Port (북항; Bukhang) Waterfront Park in Dong District, Busan, South Korea since September 18, 2026. Two rescue attempts have been unsuccessful. Meanwhile, it was appointed as an honorary ambassador of Busan due to its nationwide popularity.
Discovery and rescue efforts
[edit]
As ocean temperatures increase, sharks’ prey are moving farther north, making sharks move accordingly.[1] Bukangi, a 3.5 meter copper shark, is believed to have entered the canal in pursuit of prey and has since been unable to escape.[2] It was first reported on September 18, 2026 at around 8:57 AM KST. In response, the Korea Coast Guard deployed rescue boats and patrol vessels to the scene, and Busan City sent out safety messages to nearby residents.[3] Following the National Institute of Fisheries Science's advice to allow the shark to return to the sea on its own, the coast guard did not attempt forced release.[4] Social media users later named the shark Bukangi after the park's name.[1]
The canal is 1.5 km long and 30–60 meters wide, with a depth of 2.5 meters at low tide and 4 meters at high tide. Experts recommended the rescue of Bukangi as prolonged confinement in the narrow canal, which differs greatly from its natural habitat, could negatively affect its health. Also, the canal is shallow, so its water temperature could drop rapidly.[5] From 11 AM to 12:40 PM on September 29, rescue boats sprayed water behind Bukangi to create foam and noise and thus guide it toward the exit of the canal, but it did not move in that direction. An additional rescue attempt took place for about an hour starting at 2:30 PM, but it ultimately failed.[6]
The second rescue attempt began at 4 PM on October 2. Five people were positioned on each side of the canal to pull a 50 meter long net[7] while two Coast Guard vessels pulled the center of the net to spread it out evenly in the canal. However, difficulties in deploying the net led the vessels to withdraw at around 5:40 PM.[4]
Popularity
[edit]Bukangi is credited with making North Port Waterfront Park a nationwide attraction.[8] The park previously had two thousand visitors per day, but 717,800 people visited the park from September 19 to October 1.[4] Nearby cafes and convenience stores saw increased revenue.[8] Also, sales of shark-shaped ice cream bars at convenience stores near the park surged by 30% and the stock prices of Pinkfong known for the song "Baby Shark" rose by more than 7% at one point.[2]
On September 29, Busan City appointed Bukangi as an honorary ambassador after a poll with 91% in favor of the decision.[9] Chun Jae-soo, mayor of Busan, described it as a "new part of Busan's story".[7]
References
[edit]- 1 2 Jung, Da-hyun (September 29, 2026). "Busan shark becomes tourist sensation, but stirs concerns over warming seas". The Korea Times.
- 1 2 Kim, Seong-uk (2026-10-01). ""길이 3.5m 상어가 셀럽 됐다"…외신도 홀린 부산 홍보대사 '부캉이'" ["The 3.5-meter shark became a celebrity"…Busan's ambassador 'Bukangi' captivates foreign media as well]. Asia Economy (in Korean).
- ↑ Hong, Sun-jun (2026-09-18). "부산 북항 친수공원 수로에 3m 넘는 상어 출현…해경 출동" [A shark over 3 meters long appears in the canal of Busan North Port waterfront park…Coastal police dispatched]. SBS (in Korean). Retrieved 2026-10-01.
- 1 2 3 Kim, Jun-yong (2026-10-02). "그물과 실랑이만 하다 안 떠난 부캉이···2차 구조 실패, 관계기관 머리 맞대" [Bukangi Stayed Put Despite Struggling Against the Net… Relevant Agencies Seek Solutions as Second Rescue Attempt Fails]. Kyunghyang Shinmun (in Korean).
- ↑ Lee, Yeong-jae (2026-09-30). "부산 안 떠나는 상어 '부캉이'…"그냥 두자" vs "바다로 보내야"" ['Bukangi', the shark that doesn't leave Busan…"Just leave it" vs. "Send it to the sea"]. Yonhap News (in Korean).
- ↑ Lee, Seung-ryun (2026-09-29). "'부캉이 귀환작전' 1차 실패…포말·소음 안 통하자 결국 '그물 2차전'" ['Bukangi's Return-to-the-Sea Operation' Fails in First Attempt… Second Net Operation Launched After Foam and Noise Prove Ineffective]. Munhwa Ilbo (in Korean).
- 1 2 Kim, Tong-hyung (2026-09-30). "South Korea embraces a huge shark slowly circling a canal in the country's biggest port city". AP News. Retrieved 2026-10-01.
- 1 2 Kim, Mi-hui (2026-09-30). "밀어내도 돌아왔다… 부캉이 '늦춰진 이별'" [It came back even after being pushed away… Bukangi's 'Delayed Farewell']. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean).
- ↑ Kim, Seon-ho (2026-09-29). "상어 '부캉이', 부산시 명예홍보대사 된다…여론조사 91% 찬성" [Shark 'Bukangi' appointed as honorary ambassador of Busan… Poll shows 91% support]. Yonhap News (in Korean).