A rare albino buffalo – popularly nicknamed “Donald Trump” for its distinctive blond tuft – arrived at the National Zoo in Mirpur, Dhaka, on Wednesday night, after it was spared from Eid-ul-Azha sacrifice following a last-minute government intervention.
Confirming the matter, Curator Md Atiqur Rahman told the media that the buffalo has been kept in a large shed, while the zoo authorities have made arrangements for feeding it.
“The buffalo will be kept in quarantine for two weeks. It will be examined to determine whether it has any disease,” he added.
Prime Minister’s Assistant Press Secretary Nazmul Haque said the buffalo generated widespread public interest. Besides, as it is a rare breed, the government has prioritised preserving it.
He said Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has, for the time being, purchased the animal, while State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku has instructed the Department of Livestock Services to take necessary measures for the animal’s proper preservation and care.
Md Taibur Rahman, uncle-in-law of Moniruzzaman, the buyer of the buffalo, said, “We purchased the buffalo for sacrifice on Eid-ul-Azha. Later, we came to know that it is a rare albino buffalo. As the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock took the matter seriously and initiated steps to preserve it, we handed it over to the government.”
Mehedi Hasan Bhuiyan, deputy director of the Department of Livestock Services, Dhaka district, said this albino buffalo is extremely rare. In the interest of conservation, the buffalo has been acquired from its owner in exchange for Tk3,30,000.
It has been learnt that, following last-minute discussions at the government level, a decision was made not to sacrifice the buffalo. Initially, there were plans to send it back to Rabeya Agro Farm in Paikpara, Narayanganj, but it was later decided that it would be preserved at the zoo.
At the last moment, an official at the home ministry said, the decision was made to spare the buffalo from sacrifice due to security concerns and the unusual level of public interest.
The rare albino buffalo gained nationwide attention because of its distinctive appearance, with its hair and eyes reportedly resembling those of US President Donald Trump.
The animal was affectionately named “Donald Trump” by the younger brother of Ziauddin Mridha, owner of Rabeya Agro Farm.
The unusual name and rare appearance quickly made the buffalo a social media sensation.
According to the farm owner, the nearly 700kg buffalo had been sold to a buyer named Moniruzzaman from the Jinjira area of Keraniganj at a rate of Tk550 per kilogram before it achieved viral fame.
As news of the animal spread, crowds gathered at the farm, with visitors travelling from far afield to see its blond fringe and calm demeanour.
The buffalo also attracted international media attention, featuring in reports by major global news organisations, including AFP and Reuters.
