A rare albino buffalo that captured global attention for its striking resemblance to US President Donald Trump has been saved from ritual slaughter just ahead of Eid al-Adha. The 700-kilogram animal, which became an internet sensation due to its flowing blond hair and unique facial features, was pulled from its scheduled sacrifice by a last-minute intervention from the Bangladeshi government.
The buffalo, nicknamed “Donald Trump” by its former owners, had been sold for the upcoming Islamic festival, a period when millions of livestock are traditionally sacrificed. However, as news of the animal’s fame spread across international media and social platforms, the situation shifted from a routine farm transaction to a matter of national interest.
On Wednesday, authorities from Bangladesh’s Ministry of Home Affairs stepped in to halt the planned sacrifice, citing security concerns and the unprecedented level of public attention surrounding the animal.
From Farm Attraction to National Ward
The animal’s journey to fame began at the Rabeya Agro Farm in Narayanganj, near the capital, Dhaka. Ziauddin Mridha, the farm owner, noted that the nickname was coined by his younger brother, who observed that the buffalo’s pale tuft of hair mirrored the American President’s trademark hairstyle. What started as an amusing local observation quickly morphed into a phenomenon, with visitors travelling from distant districts to pose for photos with the “Trump buffalo.”
“At the last moment, the decision was taken to spare the buffalo from sacrifice due to security concerns and the unusual level of public interest,” a ministry official told Reuters. Following the order, the buffalo was retrieved from its buyer’s home by local police and transferred to the Bangladesh National Zoo in Dhaka. Officials have promised to compensate the buyer, either through a full refund or by providing an alternative animal for the holiday.
A Future in Conservation
While the buffalo’s unexpected celebrity status put it at the centre of a social media frenzy, even drawing ironic commentary from international political figures, it will now transition into a quieter life under state care. Zoo officials have confirmed that the buffalo is being kept in a dedicated enclosure and will undergo a two-week quarantine period before being introduced to the public.
“The livestock department requested us to take the buffalo from the owner as it is a rare animal,” said Mohammad Ruhul Quddus, officer-in-charge of the Keraniganj Model Police Station. For the zoo’s curators, the focus has shifted to the animal’s long-term well-being. He will remain under official care for the foreseeable future, effectively ending its run as a sacrificial commodity and cementing its legacy as one of the most viral icons in Bangladesh.
