DHAKA, Bangladesh — A rare albino buffalo with a striking blond tuft, nicknamed Donald Trump for its uncanny resemblance to the U.S. president, has become an unlikely attraction at Bangladesh's national zoo, drawing thousands of visitors since its arrival last week.
The 700-kilogram animal was originally slated for slaughter during the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha, but after a video of its pale hide and golden forelock went viral on social media, the government intervened, citing security concerns. Authorities transferred the buffalo to the capital's zoo, where crowds now brave sweltering heat to catch a glimpse.
On Tuesday, visitors pressed against the enclosure's fence, filming with smartphones as fathers hoisted children onto their shoulders for a better view. A zoo worker pampered the animal, brushing its hair to one side and hosing it down with water while fans blew on it.
“There is a resemblance to Donald Trump in its eyes, hairstyle, and skin color,” said Mohammed Nasim, a student in Dhaka. “And just as Donald Trump has a distinctive personality and lifestyle, this buffalo, after going viral, is now living a similar kind of life, enjoying a lot of attention and special treatment.”
The naming has not been without controversy. Local media reported that an initial exhibit sign reading “Donald Trump” was removed, and the zoo curator was fired Saturday, though no official reason was given. Some visitors expressed discomfort with the moniker. “Giving a farm animal the name of one of the world’s most influential leaders was certainly the wrong thing to do,” said Dhaka resident Mohammad Joynal Adedin. “It seems disrespectful.”
The buffalo was sold ahead of Eid al-Adha, the Feast of Sacrifice. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed ordered police to take the animal into custody, and authorities refunded the buyer. “Since before Eid, I had been seeing posts on Facebook saying that ‘Donald Trump’ would be sacrificed,” said Mohammad Habibur Rahman, a visitor from Jashore. “So, I thought I would come to the zoo and see ‘Donald Trump’ for myself.”
The episode comes as Trump faces a record-low net approval rating amid an Iran conflict and inflation, according to recent polling. Meanwhile, his administration has been pushing a controversial rule forcing green card applicants to leave the U.S., sparking legal fury. The buffalo's fame, however, appears to transcend politics, offering a peculiar diversion for Bangladeshis.
