Viral Albino Buffalo ‘Donald Trump’ Spared From Qurbani, Moved to Dhaka Zoo

The viral albino buffalo nicknamed “Donald Trump,” which was originally purchased for Qurbani during Eid al-Adha, will no longer be sacrificed. Instead, the rare animal has been preserved and transferred to the Bangladesh National Zoo in Mirpur.

The matter was confirmed on Wednesday night, May 27, by Atikur Rahman.

He said the buffalo, popularly known as “Trump” from Narayanganj, had already been brought to the zoo, where authorities arranged a dedicated shed and feeding facilities for the animal.

The buffalo gained nationwide attention because of its unusual appearance and distinctive hair pattern, which many people compared to Donald Trump. As a result, the farm owner named the rare white buffalo “Donald Trump.”

Following widespread publicity on social media, the buffalo was sold quickly at a high price to a buyer from Keraniganj for Qurbani on Eid day.

However, after intervention from the Home Ministry, the buyer was refunded and the buffalo was taken back on Wednesday evening from Islamapur in the Jinjira area of Keraniganj. It was first brought to Keraniganj Model Police Station before being transferred to the zoo under a decision by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.

Buyer Moniruzzaman’s uncle-in-law, Md. Taibur Rahman, said the buffalo had initially been purchased for sacrifice during Eid-ul-Azha. Later, they learned that it belonged to an extremely rare albino breed.

He added that the buffalo was handed over to the government after the livestock ministry decided to preserve it, describing the animal as a valuable national asset.

According to Dr. Mehedi Hasan Bhuiyan, the albino buffalo was acquired from its owner for Tk 330,000 in the interest of conservation before being relocated to the zoo.

Sources concerned said that after last-minute discussions at the government level, authorities decided against sacrificing the animal. Although there had initially been plans to return it to Rabeya Agro Farm in Paikpara, officials later finalized the decision to preserve it at the zoo instead.

The nearly 700-kilogram white buffalo became a social media sensation after videos of the animal spread online. Curious visitors from across the country reportedly traveled long distances just to see it in person.

The story later attracted attention from international media outlets as well.

DBTech/BPO/EK/OR