Large shark found trapped in Busan's North Port canal, nicknamed Bukangi

In September 2026, a large shark was spotted swimming slowly in a narrow artificial waterway at the North Port waterfront park in Busan, South Korea's biggest port city. The animal stayed in the canal for weeks, and visitors began calling it "Bukangi", a nickname based on the Korean name of North Port (Bukhang).

City officials and marine experts tried several times to guide the shark back to open water, using boats and nets. The first attempts, in late September and early October, failed because the animal kept returning to the canal. Reports differed on its exact species and length, with estimates of around three metres or slightly more.

The shark quickly drew crowds and national and international media attention. Large numbers of visitors came to the park to see it, turning an ordinary waterfront into a tourist draw. Its fate also raised questions about animal welfare and how a wild animal should be handled in an urban waterway. These events set up the later rescue operation and the shark's disappearance after its release.