South Korean Port City Adopts Stranded Shark as Honorary Mascot

SEOUL, South Korea -- A large gray shark, affectionately named Bukangi, has become an honorary mascot in South Korea's bustling port city of Busan. The approximately 3.5-meter (11.5-foot) long shark has been navigating a canal in the city's North Port for nearly two weeks, drawing thousands of tourists and becoming a social media phenomenon.

Officials have embraced the attention, with the shark now sharing the Korean name for the port where it was first sighted on September 18. While its presence has boosted local tourism, efforts to guide it back to open water have proven challenging.

On Tuesday, five vessels attempted to herd the shark toward the sea by spraying streams of water. The operation, closely observed by crowds and broadcast online, was unsuccessful as the shark repeatedly evaded the boats. A Busan City official stated that another attempt to free the animal is planned for as early as Friday.

The state-run National Institute of Fisheries Science is developing a specially designed net, measuring at least 50 meters (54 yards) long, to be stretched across the waterway. The plan is to use boats to channel the shark toward the exit, with another vessel spraying water from behind to encourage its movement.

Authorities have not observed any significant decline in the shark's health, but its release into the open sea remains a priority for its long-term well-being. Since counting began on September 19, approximately 600,000 visitors have come to the North Port to see Bukangi. Nearly half a million of these visits occurred during the recent Chuseok holiday, Korea's Thanksgiving.

“Bukangi has naturally become a new part of Busan’s story with the interest and love of the city’s people,” said Busan Mayor Chun Jae-soo in a statement.