Rare Albino Buffalo Nicknamed ‘Donald Trump’ Escapes Eid Sacrifice in Bangladesh
By Sabiu Abdullahi
A rare albino buffalo in Bangladesh, popularly nicknamed “Donald Trump” because of its blond tuft, has escaped being slaughtered for Eid al-Adha after authorities intervened at the last minute.
The buffalo, which weighs nearly seven hundred kilograms, had already been sold for sacrifice before officials halted the process over security concerns linked to growing public attention.
A Home Ministry official confirmed on Wednesday that Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed ordered that the animal should be spared. Authorities also directed that the buyer be refunded while the buffalo would be moved to the national zoo in Dhaka.
“At the last moment, the decision was taken to spare the buffalo from sacrifice due to security concerns and the unusual level of public interest,” a ministry official said.
Interest in the animal spread rapidly after videos of it circulated online ahead of the Eid celebration scheduled for Thursday. Many people reportedly travelled to the farm to catch a glimpse of the unusual buffalo, which stood out because of its light-coloured hair and calm nature.
The owner of the farm, Ziauddin Mridha, said his younger brother gave the buffalo the nickname after noticing a resemblance to United States President Donald Trump.
Mridha explained that the animal is gentle and requires special care, including regular feeding and bathing.
Albino buffaloes are uncommon in Bangladesh, where dark-coloured cattle are more common during the Eid livestock season. Reports indicated that the animal’s unusual appearance and nickname contributed to the attention that eventually saved it from slaughter.
Meanwhile, Muslims in Mali are facing difficulties ahead of Eid al-Adha as the prices of sheep continue to rise following a blockade imposed by armed groups linked to al-Qaida.
The blockade has reportedly disrupted the transportation of goods into Bamako, the country’s capital. Analysts said the situation has affected supplies and pushed the cost of animals beyond the reach of many families preparing for the religious festival.
The armed group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin reportedly announced the blockade earlier this month. The group has frequently targeted trucks and commercial vehicles transporting goods into the city.
Mali, which depends heavily on supplies transported from neighbouring coastal countries such as Senegal and Ivory Coast, has experienced increasing economic pressure as a result of the disruption.