The 10‑ft dusky shark, dubbed Bukangi, had been lodged in Busan’s North Port canal since September 18, drawing more than 1.7 million visitors to the waterfront.
On Wednesday, a coordinated effort of boats, nets, and floating platforms nudged Bukangi toward the canal mouth, but it slipped beneath the outer net by night, according to Reuters.
Kim Hyun‑woo, a senior researcher at the National Institute of Fisheries Science, warned that the canal’s calm environment may lure the shark, while the busy harbor’s noise and lights could be factors.
The rescue team has now tightened the inner barrier and will keep the shark under surveillance as water temperatures fall below its preferred 18‑26 °C range, noting potential health risks.
The city, which has embraced the creature as a mascot, plans a second operation early next week, hoping to safely guide Bukangi to the open sea.