Rescuers have begun attempts to free a large shark that has been trapped in a city canal in Busan, South Korea, for over a week. The 3.5-metre shark, nicknamed Bukang-i, was first spotted on 18 September in a waterway at a waterfront park.
The trapped shark has drawn an estimated 600,000 visitors to the southern port city of Busan. The North Port Waterfront Park, which typically sees around 2,000 daily visitors on holidays, recorded 607,000 visits between 19 and 28 September.
Experts believe the shark is a bronze whaler that followed prey into the canal and could not find its way out. The city's coastguard initially tried to drive it out on the day it appeared but suspended the operation on scientists' advice, who warned that forcing the animal could harm it or make it aggressive.
On Tuesday morning, coastguard boats used water jets to try and push the shark towards the canal's mouth. The first attempt was unsuccessful, with the shark reportedly slipping past the boats and swimming back into the canal.
Officials have stated that the shark's ability to feed and move is restricted, which could weaken it over time, despite the fisheries institute reporting it as stable.