Lead

A rare albino buffalo in Bangladesh, nicknamed “Trump” for its flowing blond hair, has been spared from sacrifice during Eid al-Adha after gaining widespread attention on social media. The animal, which was due to be slaughtered for the holiday, will instead be cared for at the national zoo in Dhaka, according to multiple reports.

Coverage Comparison

The story has been covered by several international outlets, including Al Jazeera, France 24, South China Morning Post, and The Hindu. Reports consistently describe the buffalo as a 700-kilogramme (about 1,500-pound) rare albino with a light, flowing coat that many say resembles the hairstyle of S. President Donald Trump. The animal was originally owned by farmer Zia Uddin Mridha, who told AFP that his brother named it “Trump” because of its “extraordinary hair.”

While most outlets focus on the rescue narrative, details about the buffalo’s ownership and the sequence of events vary. For instance, Africa News and Al Jazeera emphasize the animal’s popularity and the government’s decision to save it, while France 24 and The Hindu add that the owner had sold the buffalo ahead of Eid, with police stepping in after a government directive. The Hindu also reports that the current owner, Moniruz Zaman, purchased the buffalo three days before the holiday and handed it over to authorities, who promised compensation or a replacement animal.

Key Claims

  • Albino rarity: Multiple sources note that albino buffaloes are extremely rare due to low melanin production, citing officials from Bangladesh’s Department of Livestock Services.
  • Government intervention: The government ordered that the buffalo be spared, and police took it into custody. This is corroborated by several outlets, including France 24 and The Hindu.
  • National zoo care: National zoo curator Atiqur Rahman said a separate shed and caregiver have been arranged, and the buffalo will be quarantined for two weeks. This is reported by Al Jazeera and confirmed by other sources.
  • Social media fame: The buffalo attracted crowds of visitors and influencers to the farm, leading to public access restrictions due to the animal’s weight loss, as reported by Africa News. This detail is not mentioned in other outlets.
  • Eid sacrifices: More than 12 million animals, including goats, sheep, cows, and buffaloes, are expected to be sacrificed during Eid al-Adha in Bangladesh, according to multiple reports.
  • Care at the farm: The Hindu reports that the buffalo received special care, including four baths a day and four meals daily, a claim that appears only in that outlet.