Use BBC.com or the new BBC App to listen to BBC podcasts, Radio 4 and the World Service outside the UK.

Find out how to listen to other BBC stations

Episode details

World Service,27 Oct 2026,13 mins

What Bukangi the shark in South Korea tells us about climate change

What in the World

Available for over a year

For weeks, the city of Busan in South Korea has been playing host to an unexpected visitor. A Dusky shark nicknamed Bukangi. She swam into a canal in the city and simply won’t leave, despite efforts from experts to try to coax her back to the to the open sea. Those attempts to move her have been live-streamed and Bukangi has become something of a celeb in Busan. There’s merchandise of her, posters with her as a cartoon have been put up and she’s been made the city’s un-official mascot. Bukangi has helped boost visitors to the city - but what does she tell us about climate change? We hear from the BBC’s Jake Kwon, who’s in Busan, about the impact she’s had on the city, shark enthusiast @SarahShark tells us all about Dusky sharks and our climate reporter Esme Stallard explains why she might be there in the first place. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Mollie Perella Producers: Emma - Louise Amanshia and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde

Programme Website
More episodes