"Got Too Close to the Wall"... 'Busan Month-Long Stay' Blacktip Shark Bukangi Suffers Another Injury

Authorities are closely monitoring the condition of "Bukangi," a blacktip shark that has been staying in the artificial waterway of the Busan North Port Waterfront Park for over a month, after an injury was found on its right fin.

In videos filmed by citizens on October 18, the tip of Bukangi's right fin appeared whitened and partially damaged.

A citizen who observed the shark said, "It seems the fin split because Bukangi swam by hugging the right wall too closely."

The National Institute of Fisheries Science (NIFS), which has been monitoring Bukangi's condition, confirmed that part of the fin was damaged due to friction while the shark swam with its body pressed tightly against the narrow waterway wall.

Authorities noted there is currently no bleeding, and the injury is not severe enough to impact its overall health.

Bukangi previously suffered a wound around its snout after colliding with oyster shells and other objects attached to the waterway walls.

An official from NIFS stated, "Sharks have a fast skin injury recovery rate, but continuous contact with the wall could delay healing," adding, "We are closely monitoring the condition of its snout and pectoral fins."

Measuring about 3 meters in length, Bukangi has been staying in the artificial waterway at the North Port Waterfront Park for a month since it was first discovered there on September 18.

After two previous rescue attempts failed, relevant authorities decided to monitor its health and wait for it to naturally exit the waterway rather than attempting a forced rescue.

(Photo: Capture from a video provided by a reader, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.