A massive shark stranded in a South Korean canal for over a month became an unlikely tourist attraction, drawing nearly 1.6 million visitors and sparking a nightly vigil by local volunteers known as jagyeongdan—a mix of neighborhood watch and informal guardians. Dressed in high-visibility vests and armed with selfie sticks, these self-appointed protectors gathered daily to monitor the shark, dubbed Bukang-i, as officials attempted to guide it back to open water. After three failed efforts, authorities finally succeeded in steering the marine animal toward deeper waters, with hopes it will now resume its natural migration. The unusual spectacle highlights both public fascination with wildlife and the collaborative efforts of locals and officials in conservation.
Bukang-i successfully guided out after month in which it drew 1.6m visitors and was watched over by YouTubersIn South Korea, they call them jagyeongdan, a word whose meaning sits somewhere between vigilante group and neighbourhood watch. Each night they put on hi-vis vests, picked up their selfie sticks and gathered around the harbour in Busan to keep watch over an unlikely charge: a stranded shark affectionately known as Bukang-i.On Wednesday, after more than a month in the canal and at the third attempt, the shark was successfully guided out, South Korea’s oceans ministry said. Officials expect her to move into open water in time. Continue reading...
