…added that officials considered the albino buffalo relatively young and suitable for long-term preservation.
BANGLADESH – The iNews Times| A rare albino buffalo in Bangladesh, popularly nicknamed “Donald Trump” because of its flowing blond-like mane, has been spared from being sacrificed during the Eid al-Adha celebrations and will instead be relocated to the country’s National Zoo.
The animal had initially been marked for sacrifice ahead of the annual Islamic festival, observed on Thursday across Bangladesh, where millions of livestock are traditionally slaughtered during the celebration.
However, the unusual 700-kilogram buffalo quickly became a social media sensation because of its striking appearance, drawing large crowds eager to take photographs and catch a glimpse of the rare animal.
Curator of the National Zoo, Atiqur Rahman, confirmed that arrangements had already been made to receive the animal.
“We have designated a shed for the albino buffalo and assigned a caregiver,” Rahman said, adding that the animal would undergo a mandatory two-week quarantine upon arrival at the zoo.
The livestock was originally owned by 38-year-old farmer Zia Uddin Mridha, who explained that the animal earned the nickname “Trump” because of its distinctive blond-like hair.
According to Mridha, families, social media users, and curious residents frequently visited to see the buffalo before he eventually sold it ahead of the Eid celebrations.
Authorities later stepped in after the government reportedly directed that the rare animal should not be slaughtered because of its unique nature.
Mohammad Ruhul Quddus, the officer in charge of Keraniganj Police Station in Dhaka, said the Department of Livestock Services requested police assistance to secure the animal.
“The livestock department requested us to take the buffalo from the owner as it is a rare animal,” Quddus stated.
He added that officials considered the albino livestock relatively young and suitable for long-term preservation and care.
Bangladesh is expected to witness the sacrifice of more than 12 million animals, including cows, goats, sheep, and buffaloes, during this year’s Eid celebrations.
