Dhaka: A rare albino buffalo in Bangladesh, popularly nicknamed “Donald Trump” for its unusual blond hair, has been spared from sacrifice ahead of Eid ul Adha after a last minute intervention by the country’s authorities.
The nearly 700 kilogram buffalo had become an internet sensation in recent days because of its cream coloured skin, pink nose and golden hair tuft between its curved horns. The animal was being raised at an agro farm in Narayanganj, near Dhaka, where hundreds of people had reportedly gathered to see it and take selfies after its videos went viral on social media.
According to reports, the four year old buffalo had already been sold to a private buyer for ritual sacrifice during Eid. The buyer, identified as Moniruj Zaman, had purchased the animal just days before the festival. However, the growing public rush around the animal prompted intervention from government and security authorities.
Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed reportedly ordered that the buffalo be spared, citing public safety concerns and the unusual level of public interest surrounding the animal. Following the decision, the buyer was refunded, and the buffalo was taken into official custody under police supervision.
The animal has now been shifted to the Bangladesh National Zoo in Dhaka, where officials are expected to ensure its care and public display in a controlled environment. Experts from the livestock department have said that albino buffaloes are biologically rare in the region and the animal may hold educational and genetic value.
The buffalo first drew attention because of its striking appearance, which was unlike the dark coloured cattle commonly seen in Bangladesh. Its name, “Donald Trump”, was reportedly inspired by its blond hair, which many people compared with the hairstyle of the former United States president.
Eid ul Adha is one of the biggest religious festivals in Bangladesh, where millions of animals are sacrificed every year as part of the traditional observance. In this case, however, viral attention, crowd pressure and official concerns changed the animal’s fate.
The episode has created wide discussion in Bangladesh and beyond, turning an ordinary Eid market story into an unusual mix of public curiosity, animal conservation and government intervention.