A shark has become an unlikely tourist attraction after getting trapped in a narrow canal in the South Korean port city of Busan for more than a week.
The 3.5m-long shark, nicknamed Bukang-i after the city’s North Port, was first spotted at about 8.57am on 18 September in a waterway near North Port Waterfront Park.
It was seen the following day again, prompting the Korea Coast Guard to send boats and a rescue team to try to guide it towards open water.
The operation was, however, suspended after scientists warned that forcing the animal out could harm it or trigger defensive behaviour.
Experts initially believed the shark was a basking shark, a species generally considered non-aggressive towards humans.
More recent assessments have identified it as a bronze whaler shark, which is believed to have followed prey from the sea into the canal before becoming unable to find its way out.
Authorities have made several attempts to free it. On Tuesday, coastguard boats sprayed jets of water behind the shark to push it towards the canal’s mouth, using a method reportedly modelled on the rescue of a great white shark trapped in shallow water off Massachusetts in 2004.
The attempt failed after the shark slipped past the boats and returned to the canal.
The operation was later suspended after the animal refused to leave the waterway.
Scientists have said the shark remains stable, but warned that its ability to feed and move is restricted and could weaken the animal the longer it remains trapped.
The unusual sight has meanwhile drawn hundreds of thousands of visitors to the waterfront park. Busan authorities estimate that 607,000 people visited North Port Waterfront Park between 19 and 28 September, compared with about 2,000 visitors a day on holidays normally.
Residents and tourists have gathered along the waterfront to photograph the shark, with some saying they had grown attached to the animal after watching it for several days.
Busan has even named the shark an honorary publicity ambassador, dubbing it a “Shafluencer” after 91 per cent of respondents to a city Instagram poll backed the idea.
Busan’s mascot, Boogi, is due to accept the certificate on the shark’s behalf.
The city has also stepped up safety measures, urging people not to approach the water or lean over barriers.
South Korea’s National Institute of Fisheries Science recorded 46 large sharks off the country’s east coast in the first half of this year, nearly four times the number recorded a year earlier, which it attributed to warmer seas and an increase in the fish that sharks prey on, The Korea Times reported.
Mayor of Busan Jeon Jae-soo said: “Bukang-i has established itself as a new story of Busan amidst the interest and affection of the citizens.
“In particular, as more than 8,000 citizens sent their opinions, we have appointed him as an honorary ambassador to reflect the will of the citizens.”
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