Stories surrounding Bukangi, a shark that stayed in Busan’s North Port

Beyond the promenade railing, a shark swims past. Not in the depths of the sea or behind the thick glass of an aquarium, but in the waterway of Bukhang Waterfront Park, close to Busan Station. People gathered around this unfamiliar scene, and the shark was given the name ‘Bukangi’.

It was first discovered on the morning of September 18th. A report came in that a large shark had been seen in the North Port waterway, and the Coast Guard and related agencies went to the scene. Watching an animal enter a waterway has become a new hot topic in the city.

Initially thought to be a copper shark

Initially, it was thought to be a copper shark, but the National Institute of Fisheries Science analyzed close-up footage on October 6 and confirmed it to be a female dusky shark measuring about 3 meters. The ridge between the two dorsal fins was the basis for distinction. Closer footage allowed the identification made from a distance to be corrected.

Knowing the species does not fully explain its behavior. Why she entered the waterway and why she has stayed so long are separate questions. There is an explanation that it may have followed food, that it is difficult to escape due to the structure of the waterway, and that the environment such as food and water quality can cause it to stay. The saying, ‘I sat down because I liked Busan’ may be a cute imagination, but it is not a confirmed reason.

An attempt to guide her out, followed by a return

The authorities attempted to induce movement to the open sea using boats and jets of water on September 29, but were not successful. On October 2, a large net was used to guide her close to the exit. Reports said she then returned farther inside. As of the October 10 report, authorities were waiting for her to leave on her own rather than attempting another rescue.

The waterway where Bukangi is located is connected to the sea and is where seawater flows in and out. The explanation that it is a shark that survives in fresh water with special abilities is not correct. Also, you cannot judge that a fish is anxious or starving just because it continues to swim. There are many invisible conditions that make it difficult to read the condition of a living animal through a short video.

There were rumors that ‘they won’t leave because they are protecting their babies,’ but there is no evidence that baby sharks have been confirmed in the waterway. We must distinguish between the desire to explain behavior through familiar family stories and the actual ecology of sharks.

From watching to wondering how she is doing

As of October 10, the cumulative number of visitors to the North Port Waterfront Park, as counted by the Busan Facilities Corporation since September 19, is 1,276,800. Multiple visits by the same person may also be included, so this does not mean that many different people have seen the shark. Even so, the shark has clearly given many people a reason to visit the park.

Bukangi's long-term stay was also mentioned in an SBS report on October 13. People's interest was as much about health and returning to the sea as it was about a nice place to look. On the 7th, a wound near the snout was reported, and the possibility that the injury occurred while avoiding strong night lights was mentioned. The cause of the injury has not been determined.

If you give it a name, a distant animal becomes closer. However, growing closer does not mean that physical distance can be eliminated. Avoid throwing food into the water or getting too close to the water, and follow on-site control and guidance to keep an eye on the Bukangi.

Although Bukangi is called the city's mascot, it is still a wild animal from the sea. The greeting, ‘Are you still here today?’ can include the hope that one day, even if the waterway becomes empty, she has returned safely to the sea.

The SBS report video showing the process of identifying the species and its actual appearance can be viewed in the original text below.
https://news.sbs.co.kr/news/endPage.do?news_id=N1008785946

SBS official video playback window
https://news.sbs.co.kr/news/player.do?newsId=N1008785946