DHAKA — A rare albino buffalo nicknamed “Donald Trump” for its flowing blond hair has been spared from Eid-ul-Azha sacrifice after a last-minute government intervention, turning an unusual livestock story into a national conversation about public curiosity, animal preservation and the changing culture of Bangladesh’s Eid cattle market.
The nearly 700-kilogram buffalo had already been sold for sacrifice and taken to the home of its buyer in Keraniganj, on the outskirts of Dhaka. But on Wednesday, May 27, hours before Eid-ul-Azha celebrations began across Bangladesh on Thursday, authorities moved in and took the animal into official custody. The buffalo was later shifted toward preservation at the Bangladesh National Zoo in Dhaka.
The animal’s new fame came from its striking appearance: a cream-colored body, pinkish nose and long blond hair falling across its forehead. The look drew comparisons to U.S. President Donald Trump’s signature hairstyle, turning the buffalo into a social media sensation and attracting visitors before Eid.
A Home Ministry official said on Wednesday that the decision was taken at the last moment because of the unusual public attention surrounding the animal. “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,” the official said in Dhaka, explaining the government’s intervention before the Eid sacrifice.
The buffalo’s buyer, Moniruzzaman, said police arrived at his home and informed him that the government had decided to take the animal. He told The Voice in Keraniganj on May 27 that he did not want to create any disorder with the authorities.
“I bought the buffalo 10 days after Eid-ul-Fitr. Three days ago, I brought it home from the farm. This afternoon, people from the police station came and said the government would take it. We do not want any disorder. The government wanted it, so we handed it over,” Moniruzzaman said.
He added that authorities told him he would either be compensated for the buffalo’s value or provided another animal for sacrifice. “The government said they would pay us whatever price it is worth, or else they would provide a cow for sacrifice,” he told The Voice.
The unusual intervention came as Bangladesh prepared for one of its largest annual religious and livestock events. Eid-ul-Azha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is marked by the sacrifice of cows, goats, sheep, buffaloes and other permitted animals. The meat is traditionally shared among family members, relatives, neighbors and poorer households, giving many low-income families a rare opportunity to consume meat.
This year, the country had a large supply of sacrificial animals. Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid said at a press conference at the Secretariat on May 3 that Bangladesh had enough domestic livestock to meet Eid demand.
“The total number of animals suitable for sacrifice has been estimated at 1,23,33,840, while the projected demand stands at 10,106,334,” the minister said, according to reports citing the Department of Livestock Services.
Official data showed that cattle and buffaloes made up more than 5.69 million of the available animals, while goats and sheep accounted for more than 6.63 million. The surplus was expected to exceed 2.2 million animals, reducing concerns over supply shortages and limiting the need for livestock imports.
Against that vast market, the albino buffalo stood out as a rare exception. In Bangladesh, most buffaloes are dark-skinned, making albino animals highly unusual. The buffalo’s pale body and blond hair made it visually distinct among thousands of animals being prepared for sale and sacrifice.
The animal was raised at Rabeya Agro Farm in Paikpara, Narayanganj, before being sold. Farm owner Ziauddin Mridha told The Voice that the name “Donald Trump” was suggested by his younger brother because of the animal’s hair.
“My younger brother named the buffalo Donald Trump because the hair on the front of its head resembles Donald Trump,” Mridha said in Narayanganj before the Eid festival.
Mridha also described the buffalo as unusually calm. “Despite its striking appearance, it is very calm by nature. It is an albino buffalo, and animals of this type are generally gentle and do not become aggressive unless provoked,” he said.
The buffalo reportedly received special care at the farm, including four baths a day and four daily meals. Its handlers said this extra attention was necessary because of its unusual condition and high public interest.
By the time the animal was taken to Keraniganj, videos and photos had spread widely on social media. Visitors began arriving at the buyer’s home to see it in person. The family had to keep the animal inside because of the crowd. Even after the buffalo was taken to the police station, visitors continued coming to the house, only to learn that it had already been removed.
Keraniganj police later said the buffalo had been brought back from the buyer’s home because it was considered a rare animal and would be handed over to the relevant authorities. Zoo officials said arrangements were being made for proper care, including a separate shed and a dedicated caregiver.
The episode reflects a growing trend in Bangladesh’s Eid livestock market, where unusually large, colorful or distinctive animals often become viral attractions. Many are given celebrity-inspired names to draw buyers, visitors and media attention. Some animals are promoted online long before they reach the market, turning individual cattle and buffaloes into short-lived national talking points.
But the “Donald Trump” buffalo became more than a seasonal attraction. Its fame pushed the government to act before the sacrifice could take place. The decision sparked public discussion over whether rare animals should be preserved when they become objects of national interest, even if they have already been lawfully sold for sacrifice.
For the buyer, the intervention meant losing the animal he had selected for Eid. For the government, it became a case of managing public attention and preserving a rare specimen. For the farm owner, the buffalo’s journey from a private farm to the national zoo confirmed how quickly social media can transform a routine Eid sale into an international story.
The buffalo’s survival also added an unexpected layer to this year’s Eid-ul-Azha in Bangladesh. In a country where millions of animals are sacrificed during the festival, one rare albino buffalo was saved not because it was the largest or most expensive, but because its unusual appearance captured the public imagination.
