Busan:A shark trapped in a canal in the southeastern city of Busan has returned to the waterway a day after authorities managed to guide it near the canal's outlet to the open sea, officials reported on Saturday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the shark, named "Bukang-i," crossed the 50-meter-long, 6.8-meter-high net installed by a joint rescue team and returned inside the canal around noon. The rescue team, comprising city and Coast Guard officials, had installed the net as part of an effort to escort the shark out of the canal at Busan's North Port on Friday.
The net became stuck to the bottom of the canal, and the shark showed no intention of moving out, leading authorities to halt the rescue operation and fix the net approximately 100 meters from the canal exit. This marked the second rescue attempt, following an initial effort on Tuesday that involved only water streams, which failed as the shark repeatedly escaped by swimming behind the boats.
Bukang-i, a name derived from Bukhang, or North Port, and the Korean suffix "i," had drawn more than 700,000 visitors as of Saturday since it was first spotted in the canal on September 18. Large crowds have gathered at the waterfront park in the port city to view the 3.5-meter shark, which was named an honorary ambassador of Busan earlier this week.
Authorities have increased patrols in anticipation of large crowds during the holiday period, which extends through Monday.