DHAKA, Bangladesh (Diya TV) — A rare albino buffalo nicknamed “Donald Trump” has escaped sacrifice during Eid al-Adha after drawing massive crowds and going viral across Bangladesh.
The nearly 700-kilogram (1,543-pound) buffalo became an internet sensation because of its unusual blond tuft of hair, which many people said resembled the hairstyle of President Donald Trump. Videos and photos of the animal spread quickly on social media ahead of the Muslim holiday, turning the buffalo into one of the country’s biggest viral attractions.
Bangladesh authorities stepped in just hours before the animal was set to be sacrificed during Eid celebrations. Officials later moved the buffalo to the Bangladesh National Zoo in Dhaka, where visitors can now see it safely. Government officials said they acted because the growing crowds created security concerns around the farm where the buffalo lived.
“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 home ministry official said in local media reports.
The buffalo had already been sold for ritual slaughter before officials reversed the decision. Authorities refunded the buyer and arranged for the animal’s transfer to the zoo.
The buffalo belonged to farmer Zia Uddin Mridha, whose family raised the animal on their farm in Bangladesh. Mridha said his younger brother first gave the buffalo the “Donald Trump” nickname after noticing its blond fringe. The unusual appearance quickly caught public attention online. Social media users shared clips showing the buffalo’s white forehead patch and comb-over-like hair pattern. Millions of people viewed the videos within days.
Soon, visitors from different parts of Bangladesh started arriving at the farm to see the buffalo in person. Many people took photos and recorded videos of the animal. One visitor told local media that the buffalo looked “exactly like Donald Trump” because of its facial structure and hairstyle. She also described the animal as calm and friendly. Mridha said the buffalo had a gentle nature and rarely became aggressive.
“It is very calm in nature,” he told local media outlets. “Albino buffaloes are generally peaceful and do not become aggressive unless provoked.”
Albino buffaloes remain extremely rare in Bangladesh and across South Asia. Most cattle in the region have dark skin and fur, making the white buffalo stand out even more during the busy Eid livestock season. Farm workers said the buffalo required special care. The animal received regular baths and ate a nutritious diet that included corn, soybeans, and bran. The careful feeding routine helped the buffalo grow to its large size while staying healthy.
Zoo officials said the buffalo will now stay at the Bangladesh National Zoo in Dhaka as a public attraction. Workers placed the animal in a dedicated enclosure where visitors can safely view it. Officials believe the buffalo could become one of the zoo’s most popular animals because of its viral fame. The story has also sparked conversations online about social media influence and animal welfare during religious festivals. Many users praised authorities for protecting the buffalo after its sudden rise to fame.
The “Donald Trump” buffalo is not the only animal gaining attention in Bangladesh this Eid season. Reports said another buffalo weighing more than 750 kilograms has earned the nickname “Benjamin Netanyahu.” Farm workers described the buffalo as energetic and difficult to handle. Unlike the calm albino buffalo, the second animal often snorts loudly and charges at handlers, workers said. Still, it is the rare albino buffalo that has captured the public imagination across Bangladesh.
