Protecting Bukang-i every night... ‘Bukang-i vigilantes’ emerge to chase away ‘lantern villains’

[Financial News]  A so-called “Bukang-i vigilante group” has emerged, drawing attention for patrolling the area every night to protect the shark Bukang-i, which has been staying for an extended period in an artificial waterway at Busan North Port Waterfront Park.
According to Newsis and other outlets on the 7th, several YouTubers have recently been walking around Busan North Port Waterfront Park at night, livestreaming Bukang-i and the surrounding area. They are also acting as patrols, watching for people shining bright lights at Bukang-i or doing anything else to provoke the shark.
More than 1 million visitors have come to the waterfront park to see Bukang-i, and concerns have recently been raised after some visitors engaged in behavior that could provoke the shark, such as shining flashlights or large lanterns at it at night.
Earlier, videos showing Bukang-i’s injuries spread mainly on social media (SNS), sparking controversy. One video showed Bukang-i twisting its body by the waterway at night, apparently distressed by the bright lights shone by some visitors.

According to the National Institute of Fisheries Science, an injury was found near Bukang-i’s snout. It is believed to have been caused when the shark, swimming in shallow water and making sudden movements, scraped against structures in the waterway or its bottom.
In connection with this, researcher Ji Hwan-seong of the National Institute of Fisheries Science told Yonhap News, “If a shark is injured, bacterial infections can spread, which is dangerous,” adding, “We are continuing to monitor Bukang-i’s health.”
Bukang-i has remained there since it was first spotted in the waterfront park’s waterway on the 18th of last month. A survey by the National Institute of Fisheries Science identified Bukang-i as a Heuksang-eo. Authorities made two rescue attempts to send it out to sea, but Bukang-i did not leave the waterway. They have now suspended the rescue operation and are watching to see whether it moves offshore on its own.
Authorities are urging visitors to exercise restraint, but are weighing how to respond because they have no way to directly restrict them. In this situation, some citizens and YouTubers have voluntarily begun patrolling every night, and are being called “Bukang-i keepers” and the “Bukang-i vigilantes.”

[email protected] Kim Su-yeon Reporter