DHAKA, Bangladesh — A viral albino buffalo nicknamed “Donald Trump” due to its distinctive blond tuft of hair has been saved from ritual slaughter following a last-minute government intervention ahead of the Eid-ul-Adha festival.
The rare 700kg animal had already been sold to a buyer for the annual holiday sacrifice before public fascination triggered security and crowd control concerns.
Okay News reports that Bangladesh Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed stepped in directly on Wednesday, ordering that the buffalo be spared, the buyer fully refunded, and the animal permanently transferred to the national zoo in Dhaka.
“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 confirmed, after massive crowds traveled long distances to the farm, causing significant logistical disruption.
Farm owner Ziauddin Mridha explained that the nickname was coined by his younger brother who noticed the animal’s striking resemblance to the U.S. President. Albino buffaloes are exceptionally rare in Bangladesh, where livestock is overwhelmingly dark-furred, making the animal an instant social media sensation during the festive livestock trade season.
