A rare albino buffalo in Bangladesh has become an internet sensation and major public attraction after people began comparing its appearance to US President Donald Trump. The unusual animal, widely nicknamed “Donald Trump” because of its distinctive blond hair and pale colouring, is now set to be sacrificed during the upcoming festival of Eid al-Adha after attracting huge crowds and going viral on social media.
The nearly 700-kilogram albino buffalo was raised at a farm in Narayanganj, close to the capital city of Dhaka. The animal became famous because of a blond tuft of hair falling over its forehead, which many visitors and internet users said resembled Donald Trump’s well-known hairstyle.
As photographs and videos of the buffalo spread online, the animal quickly gained popularity across Bangladesh and became a local attraction ahead of Eid celebrations. Large crowds reportedly visited the farm daily to take selfies, record videos, and see the rare buffalo in person.
Farm owner Ziauddin Mridha said the buffalo had already been sold to a buyer who intends to sacrifice the animal during Eid al-Adha, one of the most important religious festivals observed by Muslims around the world.
“I am going to miss Donald Trump, but that is the core spirit of Eid al-Adha -- making a sacrifice,” Mridha told AFP while speaking about the animal’s growing fame and upcoming sacrifice.
The four-year-old buffalo reportedly became an internet celebrity over the past few weeks, drawing visitors not only from nearby towns but also from distant districts across the country. According to reports, children and families gathered outside the farm every day, hoping to catch a glimpse of the rare animal.
Mridha explained that the nickname “Donald Trump” was originally suggested by his younger brother after noticing the buffalo’s unusual blond hair and distinctive appearance. He described the animal as calm, friendly, and non-aggressive in nature.
According to the owner, albino buffaloes generally remain peaceful unless provoked, although they require far more care and attention than ordinary livestock because of their rare genetic condition.
The buffalo reportedly needed extensive daily care to maintain its health and appearance before Eid. Mridha said the animal was given four baths every day and fed multiple meals to keep it healthy and comfortable.
However, he also admitted that the constant crowds, camera flashes, and public attention had placed significant stress on the buffalo in recent weeks. The owner stated that the animal had started losing weight because of the disturbance, forcing the farm to impose restrictions on public viewing for certain periods.
Livestock officials in Bangladesh said albino buffaloes are extremely uncommon due to the absence of melanin, the pigment responsible for darker skin, hair, and eye colour. Because of this condition, the buffalo developed pale pink-toned skin, a light-coloured nose, and golden-blond hair that made it stand out from ordinary cattle.
As Bangladesh prepares for Eid al-Adha later this month, millions of animals, including cows, goats, sheep, and buffaloes, are expected to be sacrificed as part of the religious observance.
In recent years, unusually large, rare, or visually distinctive animals have frequently become viral sensations during the Eid season in Bangladesh and other South Asian countries. Many such animals attract massive public attention, receive celebrity-style nicknames, and become social media phenomena before eventually being sold for sacrifice during the festival.
The albino buffalo nicknamed “Donald Trump” has now joined that growing list of viral Eid livestock attractions, with its unique appearance turning it into one of the most talked-about animals of the festival season in Bangladesh.
