Celebrity shark trapped in South Korean canal stirs concerns over warming seas
SEOUL — Wedged between skyscrapers and a bustling passenger ferry port in Busan, South Korea’s second-largest city, a celebrity of sorts is drawing thousands of admirers as it has been swimming for weeks now in a shallow city canal. Bukangi, a shark named after the waterfront park where she is trapped, has attracted nearly 1.4 […]
In Busan, South Korea, a shark named Bukangi has captured the attention of thousands as she swims in a shallow city canal for weeks. The 3-meter (10-foot) female dusky shark, which is endangered on the IUCN Red List, is so popular that she has been granted honorary ambassador status to the city. Since first being spotted in mid-September, nearly 1.4 million spectators have come to see Bukangi in Busan's waterfront park.
Despite at least two failed attempts to guide her to the open sea, Bukangi's popularity continues to grow. The Busan city government has deployed over 100 workers daily to monitor her condition and watch for signs of poor health. The city's baseball team and a local distillery have released special edition merchandise featuring Bukangi, indicating the public's affection for the marine creature.
Bukangi's case has sparked concerns about the impact of warming seas on wildlife, as the shark's presence highlights the challenges faced by endangered species in changing ocean environments.
Written by urgent.news from Mongabay's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
