It is thought that Bukangi might have been drawn to the canal by unusually warm waters and plenty of fish. With the sea getting warmer each year, experts say Busan may play host to more sharks in the future.

In the month that she has been in the canal, Bukangi had already attracted more than 1.6 million visitors.

Its popularity gave a welcome boost to Busan’s tourism, and the city has embraced her as an unofficial mascot.

But authorities were also concerned about Bukangi’s well-being as she appeared to be injured and was not eating.

Social media users have been circulating videos of Bukangi swimming in the canal with what appears to be a bloodied snout.

There were concerns the shark would be further weakened by falling water temperatures.

Before this week’s operation, there had been two earlier failed attempts to guide Bukangi out of the canal with nets.

Residents and visitors interviewed by the BBC were divided over whether the shark should stay or go.

Some felt it was safer for the shark to remain in the canal. The BBC saw two people holding up cardboard signs protesting against Bukangi’s eviction.

One of them was Cho Hannah, who had travelled for two hours from her home in North Geongsang province to see the shark.

Bukangi, she insisted, was “a rare gift” to Busan.

“This shark has made this canal her home, and we are kicking her out unnecessarily. I am afraid the shark might die tangled with the net, or die out at sea,” she said.

But others like Yoon In-taek said it was only right that Bukangi leaves.

“Bukangi seemed much larger when I first saw her on 18 September, when she first got here. Now she seems gaunt. I’m worried for her health if she stays,” he said.

“It doesn’t sit right with me that she keeps returning here. It will be best if Bukangi leaves, doesn’t come back, and lives and feeds freely in the open sea. I’d love to see her find a healthy, free life out there,” said Shin Seungmin.

Bukangi has “brought so much joy to us”, he said, adding that he was sad to see her leave.

“But she should go and live her normal shark life.”

Additional reporting by Leehyun Choi.