Donald Trump namesake buffalo to be relocated to zoo
The Bangladeshi government has intervened to save a buffalo named "Donald Trump" from slaughter, announcing that the animal will be relocated to the National Zoo in Mirpur. The four-year-old albino bull, which gained global notoriety for its physical resemblance to the former U.S. president, was seized by police from its owner’s residence in Keraniganj on Friday, just one day before the Islamic festival of Eid-ul-Adha.
Prime Minister’s Assistant Press Secretary K.M. Nazmul Haque confirmed the government's decision, citing the animal's status as a rare breed and the significant public interest it had generated. Interior Minister Asaduzzaman Khan has reportedly purchased the buffalo, and the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has been instructed to ensure its proper care and preservation.
Weighing approximately 1,500 pounds (680 kilograms), the bull first rose to prominence at the Rabeya Agro Farm in Narayanganj. Farm owner Ziauddin Mridha named the animal after noting that its distinctive wavy, pinkish-hued hair and light-colored eyes bore a striking similarity to Donald Trump. As news of the "albino bull" spread, the animal became a viral sensation, drawing coverage from international media outlets including Reuters, AFP, The Telegraph, and The Independent.
The buffalo’s journey to the national limelight began when it was purchased by Moniruzzaman, a resident of Keraniganj. As reported by local media, the animal was given a royal farewell from its original farm, complete with a red carpet and colorful smoke displays, before being transported to Keraniganj early last week. However, that journey ended abruptly on Friday when authorities arrived to stop the planned sacrifice, ordering the animal's transfer to a police station before its final move to the zoo.
National Zoo Curator Dr. Mohammad Atiqur Rahman stated that all necessary preparations have been made to accommodate the new arrival. The animal is slated to undergo a mandatory two-week quarantine period to monitor its health before it is integrated into the zoo's collection.
Dr. Rahman explained that the buffalo's unique appearance is the result of a lack of melanin, a condition that occurs in approximately one out of every 10,000 cases, often due to inbreeding. Regarding compensation for the former owner, Moniruzzaman indicated that the government has promised to either reimburse him for the purchase price or provide an alternative animal for the Eid sacrifice.
