Crowds in Bangladesh are flocking to snap photographs with an unlikely social media star — an albino buffalo with flowing blond hair nicknamed “Donald Trump” due to be sacrificed within days.
The 700-kilogram (1,540-pound) bull has become a national sensation, with dozens of curious visitors traveling from distant districts daily to pose for selfies and videos with the unusually colored animal.
An Unlikely Namesake
Owner Zia Uddin Mridha, 38, said his brother named the four-year-old buffalo after the U.S. president because of its extraordinary hair.
“My younger brother picked this name because of the buffalo’s extraordinary hair — the hair on the front of its head resembles Donald Trump,” Mridha told AFP at his farm in Narayanganj, just outside the capital Dhaka.
The 700kg bull’s flowing helmet of blond hair, neatly tucked between sweeping curved horns, bears a striking resemblance to the signature look of the American leader.
Despite the comparison, Mridha stressed that the similarities between the bull and the president stopped at the hair. He noted that the animal is remarkably calm by nature.
“Despite its striking appearance, it is very calm by nature. It is an albino buffalo, and animals of this type are generally gentle and do not become aggressive unless provoked,” Mridha said.
Special Treatment for a Star
The viral celebrity requires extra care befitting its fame. Mridha said the buffalo is bathed four times daily and receives four meals each day to keep it healthy and in good condition.
“The only luxury he enjoys is bathing four times a day,” Mridha said.
Officials from the livestock department confirmed that albino buffaloes are extremely rare, appearing white or pink due to a lack of melanin production.
The animal’s cream-colored body, pinkish nose, and long blond hair make it stand out among thousands of cattle prepared for the Muslim festival.
However, the constant stream of visitors has taken a toll. Mridha said the stress of the crowds had caused the buffalo to lose weight, forcing restrictions on public viewing . Still, children continue to peer through the gates for a glimpse.
A Bittersweet Farewell
Despite its massive popularity, the buffalo’s time is running out. Muslim-majority Bangladesh, a South Asian nation of 170 million people, is preparing for Eid al-Adha, the Islamic “feast of the sacrifice,” later this month.
More than 12 million livestock — including goats, sheep, cows, and buffaloes — are expected to be sacrificed during the holiday, when many poorer families get a rare chance to feast on meat.
Mridha confirmed that the buffalo has already been delivered to a customer for sacrifice during Eid.
“I am going to miss Donald Trump, but that is the core spirit of Eid al-Adha — making a sacrifice,” Mridha said.
A Farm of Famous Faces
“Donald Trump” isn’t the only animal on the farm with a notable nickname. His companions include an aggressive bull named “Tufan,” meaning “storm,” a generously sized animal called “Fat Boy,” and the gentle-natured “Sweet Boy”.
One golden-haired bull was named after Brazilian footballer Neymar for his bleached-blond cut.
Another buffalo named after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also gone viral at a nearby farm in Narayanganj. Unlike its calmer counterpart, the “Netanyahu” buffalo reportedly has a far more aggressive temperament, frequently snorting and charging at handlers.
Public Fascination
Businessman Faisal Ahmed, 30, was among those who managed to get close to the Trump buffalo, snapping photographs with the social media sensation.
“Truly, the features are similar between the buffalo and President Donald Trump,” Ahmed told AFP after arriving with five friends and relatives to see the animal.
“My nephew took a one-hour boat journey just to come and see ‘Donald Trump’,” he added.
In recent years, the Muslim-majority country has seen unusually large or distinctive sacrificial animals become viral Eid attractions, often given celebrity-inspired names to draw buyers and visitors . The buffalo’s resemblance to Trump, combined with its size and gentle temperament, has made it one of this year’s biggest crowd-pullers.