Dusky shark swims free after month in Busan canal

A three-metre (10-foot) dusky shark that spent more than a month in a canal in Busan, South Korea, has returned to the sea after repeated rescue efforts, according to reports from AP, The New York Times and ABC News.

The shark, nicknamed Bukangi, had become a tourist attraction after appearing in the canal in the southeastern port city. The BBC reported that more than 1.6 million people visited during its stay, and hundreds gathered to watch a livestreamed operation Wednesday in which rescuers spent more than eight hours guiding it toward open water with a large net.

Bukangi initially resisted leaving the area and returned to the canal Thursday morning after breaking through a barrier, according to the BBC. At one point, the shark became confined between two layers of netting before rescuers removed the outer layer and reinforced the remaining barrier. It continued circling near the canal entrance before later swimming free.

Officials had been concerned about the shark’s condition because it appeared injured, was reportedly not eating and faced falling water temperatures. Videos circulated online showing what appeared to be a bloodied snout. Experts cited by the BBC suggested unusually warm water and plentiful fish may have drawn the shark into the canal.