A stranded shark in a canal in Busan, South Korea, has garnered significant attention, attracting around 600,000 visitors over two weeks. Initially spotted on September 18, the 3.5-meter (11.48-ft) bronze whaler was unable to return to the ocean. Despite a failed rescue attempt using jets of water to guide it, authorities plan to employ a net for another effort.
Dubbed “Bukangi,” a name blending Busan’s North Port and a Korean suffix, the shark was declared an honorary public relations ambassador for the city following a popular poll on social media. The recent Chuseok holiday saw an influx of visitors, with 480,000 people coming to see the shark compared to the usual 2,000 on weekends. South Korea has a history of public fascination with wildlife, illustrated by a previous incident involving an escaped wolf that inspired a cryptocurrency meme.
