In brief
After months of rescue attempts, 3‑metre shark Bukangi has become Busan’s viral mascot. Rescuers guide her out of a canal, but she keeps circling back to the waterway. Locals split: some love the free‑spirited fish, others think she needs the open sea. The saga shows how climate change brings unexpected wildlife standoffs to urban life.
On 22 October 2026, the city of Busan was buzzing with an unexpected celebrity—three‑metre shark Bukangi. The fish made a splash when it was seen swimming near a canal, turning the waterway into an instant live‑stream hotspot.
Rescuers spent more than 8 hours guiding Bukangi out of the canal with a net, but after a barrier was broken, the shark swam back in. Now she keeps circling until tourists snap pics and share them online.
The rescue sparked a social‑media debate. Some locals argue she should stay—she’s become a mascot—and others insist she’s healthier in the sea.
Experts say Busan’s warm waters may welcome more sharks. For the moment, the city is stuck between a viral star and a conservation dilemma.
