An albino buffalo, dubbed "Donald Trump" for its distinctive golden mane and 1,500-pound build, has become an unlikely sensation at Bangladesh's national zoo, drawing throngs of visitors since its arrival last week.
The rare animal first captured public attention when a farmer noted its blond tuft of hair bore a striking resemblance to the president's signature coiffure. A video of the pale, horned mammal quickly went viral, prompting large crowds to flock to the farm outside Dhaka where it resided.
Originally destined for slaughter during the Muslim festival of sacrifice, the government intervened, citing security concerns, and ordered its transfer to the capital's zoo. Now, despite sweltering heat, visitors are braving the conditions to catch a glimpse of the celebrity buffalo.
On Tuesday, onlookers pressed against the enclosure fence, filming with their phones as parents hoisted children for a better view. A zoo worker was seen pampering the animal, brushing its hair and hosing it down to keep it cool, in the presence of fans.
"There is a resemblance to Donald Trump in its eyes, hairstyle, and skin color," remarked Mohammed Nasim, a student from 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."
Local media reported that an initial sign identifying the exhibit as "Donald Trump" has since been removed, and the zoo curator was fired on Saturday, though no official reason was provided. Some found the naming disrespectful.
"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 visited the zoo regardless. "It seems disrespectful. I think the farmer who did this made a poor decision."
The buffalo had been sold ahead of Eid al-Adha, the "Feast of Sacrifice," but Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed ordered police to take it into custody, with authorities refunding the buyer.
"Since before Eid, I had been seeing posts on Facebook saying that ‘Donald Trump’ would be sacrificed. Later, I heard that instead of being sacrificed, it had been placed in a zoo," explained Mohammad Habibur Rahman, a visitor from Jashore. "So, I thought I would come to the zoo and see ‘Donald Trump’ for myself."
