Viral 'Donald Trump' buffalo spared from Eid sacrifice in Bangladesh

A viral buffalo nicknamed "Donald Trump" for its blond tuft has been spared from Eid al-Adha sacrifice after a last-minute government intervention.

The rare albino, weighing nearly 700kg, had already been sold to a ritual slaughter.

But a Home Ministry official said on Wednesday that authorities had stepped in, citing safety concerns, following a surge of public interest ahead of Thursday's festival.

Home minister Salahuddin Ahmed ordered the buffalo be spared and the buyer refunded.

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The animal was then moved to the national zoo in Dhaka.

A ministry official said: "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."

Videos of the buffalo were widely shared online and crowds began to gather at the farm, with visitors travelling long distances to see its blond fringe and calm demeanour.

Farm owner Ziauddin Mridha said the name came from his younger brother who spotted an apparent resemblance to the US President.

Mr Mridha added that the animal is unusually gentle and needs careful upkeep, including frequent feeding and regular baths.

In Bangladesh, albino buffaloes are rare and most cattle in the country are dark, making this one a standout during the Eid livestock season.

(c) Sky News 2026: Viral 'Donald Trump' buffalo spared from Eid sacrifice in Bangladesh