DHAKA, Bangladesh — A rare albino buffalo nicknamed “Donald Trump” because of its distinctive golden tuft of hair has become an unexpected attraction at the National Zoo in Dhaka, drawing large crowds and sparking debate after the animal went viral on social media.
The 700-kilogram buffalo gained widespread attention after a video circulated online showing its pale coat and striking blond hair, which some viewers compared to the hairstyle of U.S. President Donald Trump. The clip quickly spread across Bangladeshi social media platforms, prompting visitors to travel to a farm outside the capital to see the animal.
Originally raised for slaughter ahead of Eid al-Adha, the Islamic “Festival of Sacrifice,” the buffalo was later taken into government custody following concerns over security and public order as crowds gathered at the farm. Authorities subsequently transferred the animal to the Dhaka National Zoo.
The relocation has turned the buffalo into a major attraction, with visitors lining up in large numbers despite intense heat. Many were seen taking photographs and videos, while families brought children to view the enclosure.
Some local reports said the zoo initially displayed a sign bearing the name “Donald Trump,” though it has since been removed. The zoo administration has not issued a detailed explanation, but media outlets reported that the zoo curator was dismissed shortly after the incident. Officials have not publicly confirmed the reason for the termination.
Public reaction has been mixed. Some visitors criticized the naming as inappropriate, saying it disrespected a global political figure and reflected poor judgment by those involved in the farm’s promotion of the animal.
“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, who nevertheless visited the zoo to see the buffalo. “It seems disrespectful.”
Others said they were drawn by viral posts and curiosity surrounding the animal’s unusual story. Mohammad Habibur Rahman, a visitor from Jashore in southwestern Bangladesh, said he first saw online claims that the buffalo would be sacrificed during Eid.
“I had been seeing posts on Facebook saying that ‘Donald Trump’ would be sacrificed,” he said. “Later, I heard that instead of being sacrificed, it had been placed in a zoo, so I came to see it myself.”
The case has highlighted how viral social media content can rapidly influence public attention in Bangladesh, where unusual animal stories frequently spread online and draw large crowds to zoos and farms.
Zoo officials have not announced whether the buffalo will remain on public display indefinitely.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
