The shark nicknamed "Bukangi," which has been staying long-term for 19 days in the artificial waterway of Bukhang Waterfront Park in Busan, has been finally identified as a dusky shark.

The National Institute of Fisheries Science (NIFS) announced today (October 6) that Bukangi has been definitively confirmed as a dusky shark.

When Bukangi first entered the artificial waterway, the NIFS had initially estimated it to be either a dusky shark or a bull shark.

After analyzing close-up video footage to determine the exact species, the NIFS identified distinct external characteristics of a dusky shark, including a clearly developed interspinal ridge between the first and second dorsal fins.

Bull sharks and dusky sharks are difficult to distinguish with the naked eye, but they are told apart by the presence of a ridge between the first and second dorsal fins—present in dusky sharks and absent in bull sharks.

As a large shark species, the dusky shark also features a broad and rounded snout, with triangular teeth on the upper jaw featuring well-developed serrations.

At birth, their body length is about 70 to 100 cm, and they can grow up to 4.2 meters.

They are widely distributed from coastal to offshore waters in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions worldwide, including the adjacent seas of Korea. They generally prefer water temperatures between 18 and 26 degrees Celsius and migrate long distances depending on water temperature changes.

Their prey includes fish and squid. While there are no studies yet on the diet of dusky sharks inhabiting the North Pacific, dusky sharks off the coast of Australia are known to prey on species such as mackerels, horse mackerels, and sardines.

On the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, they are classified as Endangered (EN) due to population declines.

In Bukangi's case, its body length was confirmed to be about 3 meters, and it was identified as a female based on the shape of its reproductive organs on the belly side.

The NIFS plans to continue monitoring Bukangi's swimming behavior and health status, and if any abnormal signs occur, it plans to respond in cooperation with related organizations such as the Busan Metropolitan Government.

Despite two attempts by rescue authorities to guide it back to the open sea, Bukangi continues to remain in the waterway.

Rescue authorities have decided to wait for a while without rescue operations, allowing Bukangi to exit the waterway on its own.

Meanwhile, the number of visitors who came to see Bukangi surpassed 1 million yesterday (October 5).


(Photo: Yonhap News)