“Where Have You Gone, Bukangi?” Missing for a Fourth Day After Leaving the Channel

[Financial News] The Heuksangeo shark ‘Bukangi,’ which left the channel at Busan North Port Waterfront Park, has not been seen for more than four days. Authorities have changed their monitoring approach from checking the site daily to dispatching teams in response to reports from the public. It has not yet been confirmed whether Bukangi has left Busan North Port and moved into open waters.
According to the National Institute of Fisheries Science and other sources on the 31st, Bukangi was last officially sighted on the 26th. It was found at sea in front of the International Passenger Terminal, about 2 km from the artificial channel at Busan North Port Waterfront Park. Since it was seen by a member of the public at a nearby pier the following day, it has not been confirmed through either official monitoring or public reports.Y
The National Institute of Fisheries Science changed its monitoring approach, judging that Bukangi’s longer periods underwater and wider range of activity made it difficult to determine its location through on-site observation alone. It has also formed a standby team to go to the site and check on Bukangi if a report from the public comes in.
Although Bukangi was confirmed to be expanding its range after coming out of the channel, experts say it is too early to conclude that it has completely left Busan North Port. The National Institute of Fisheries Science said it would take about a week from when Bukangi first stopped appearing before it could determine whether the shark had moved into open waters.
Bukangi was found in the artificial channel at Busan North Port Waterfront Park last September and stayed there for more than a month. After concerns were raised about its health due to falling water temperatures, relevant agencies guided it toward the sea three times. It later left the channel and was sighted in nearby waters. When it was last confirmed, it was seen swimming normally. 

[email protected] Yoon Hong-jip Reporter