A rare albino buffalo with a shock of golden hair has become one of Bangladesh’s most unlikely celebrities, drawing crowds from across the country after being named “Donald Trump.”
The 700-kilogram animal arrived at the National Zoo in Dhaka last week after a social media frenzy transformed him from an ordinary farm animal into a national attraction.
The buffalo first caught public attention when a farmer noticed that its blond tuft of hair resembled the distinctive hairstyle of U.S. President Donald Trump. Videos of the animal quickly spread online, attracting thousands of curious viewers and turning the buffalo into a viral sensation.
Soon, people began travelling to the farm outside Dhaka just to catch a glimpse of the unusual animal.
Ironically, the buffalo was originally destined for slaughter during Eid al-Adha, the Muslim festival known as the Feast of Sacrifice. But as public interest grew, authorities intervened and transferred the animal to the capital’s zoo, citing security concerns and crowd control issues.
Now, visitors regularly gather outside the buffalo’s enclosure, many raising their phones to capture photos and videos. Some parents even lift their children onto their shoulders to get a better view of the celebrity animal.
Zoo workers appear to be embracing the attention. Staff members have been seen brushing the buffalo’s golden hair, keeping him cool with water sprays and ensuring he remains comfortable despite the intense summer heat.
“There is a resemblance in the hairstyle, skin colour and even the expression,” said Mohammed Nasim, a student who visited the zoo. “Just like Donald Trump, this buffalo now gets a lot of attention and special treatment.”
Not everyone is amused by the name, however.
Some visitors have questioned whether naming a farm animal after one of the world’s most recognisable political figures was appropriate.
“Giving a buffalo the name of such an influential leader feels disrespectful,” said Dhaka resident Mohammad Joynal Adedin. “I don’t think it was the right decision, although I still wanted to come and see it.”
Local media reported that the exhibit initially featured a sign displaying the name “Donald Trump,” but it was later removed. The zoo’s curator was also dismissed days later, although officials have not publicly linked the decision to the buffalo controversy.
For many visitors, however, the attraction is simply too unusual to ignore.
“I kept seeing posts online saying Donald Trump was going to be sacrificed during Eid,” said visitor Mohammad Habibur Rahman, who travelled from the city of Jashore.
“Then I heard he had been moved to the zoo instead. I was curious, so I came to see ‘Donald Trump’ for myself.”
For now, Bangladesh’s most famous buffalo appears to be enjoying his unexpected rise to stardom.
