South Korean officials try to guide wild shark back to sea in 3rd attempt

By Aamir Latif

ISLAMABAD (AA) - South Korean authorities are making a third attempt to guide a shark that has lingered for more than a month in an artificial channel back to sea, media reports said Tuesday.

Bukang-i, a 3-meter dusky shark first spotted Sept. 18, has lingered at a waterfront park in the port city of Busan, Seoul Economic Daily reported.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said it would begin the operation to guide the shark into open water on Wednesday, using underwater drones and other equipment.

The ministry and nine other agencies have drawn up a detailed plan for the operation.

Bukang-i has attracted large crowds to catch a glimpse of her, topping 1.6 million since it was found.

On Sept. 29, the agencies tried to push the shark out to sea with jets of water from a pump, but failed.

In a second attempt on Oct. 2, they dragged a net that drove the shark to a point 100 meters (328 feet) from the channel mouth, only for it to swim back over the net the next day.

Amir Latif Arain