A rare albino buffalo from Bangladesh, nicknamed “Donald Trump” for his distinctive blonde locks, was saved from Eid al-Adha slaughter after a last-minute government intervention, according to an Interior Ministry official.
The nearly 700-kilogram (1,543-pound) animal had already been sold for ritual sacrifice when authorities intervened, citing safety concerns after a surge in public interest ahead of Thursday’s festival.
Interior Minister Salahuddin Ahmed ordered that the buffalo be saved, the buyer refunded and the animal moved to the National Zoo in Dhaka. “At the last minute, a decision was made to avoid slaughtering the buffalo due to safety concerns and the unusual level of public interest,” a ministry official said.
What started as a routine Eid purchase quickly turned into nationwide curiosity after the videos went viral. Crowds gathered at the farm, and visitors traveled from far and wide to see her blonde bangs and calm demeanor. Farm owner Ziauddin Mridha said his younger brother had nicknamed the buffalo Trump after noticing his resemblance to the US president.
Mridha said the animal was unusually gentle and needed careful care, including frequent feeding and regular bathing.
Albino buffaloes are rare in Bangladesh, where most cattle are dark, making them stand out during the peak Eid cattle season, although it was the nickname that probably saved their lives.