Ahead of the 2026 celebration of Eid al-Adha, a one-of-a-kind albino water buffalo has captured public attention across Bangladesh and social media worldwide, all thanks to an unexpected resemblance to former U.S. President Donald Trump. Weighing in at nearly 700 kilograms, the pale buffalo has lived on a small family farm in Narayanganj district, just outside the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka, since it was born. What turned the animal into an overnight viral sensation is a signature shock of blonde hair that falls across its forehead – a feature that locals say echoes Trump’s iconic hairstyle. It was the farmer’s younger brother that first coined the nickname ‘Donald Trump’, and the name stuck as word spread of the unusual buffalo.
Farmer Ziauddin Mridha, who owns the buffalo, says dozens of tourists and curious visitors have flocked to his farm daily, many traveling for hours from distant districts across the country just to snap selfies and record clips of the rare animal. Despite its high-profile new fame, Mridha notes the albino buffalo has a gentle, calm temperament, a trait he says is common for albino cattle that rarely become aggressive unless provoked. To keep the buffalo in healthy, show-ready condition ahead of Eid al-Adha, Mridha says the animal requires specialized daily care, including four washes and four scheduled feedings every day to maintain its condition.
Albinism is extremely rare among water buffalo in Bangladesh, where the vast majority of the species have dark, black hides. This buffalo’s creamy pale coat, pink nose and distinct blonde mane make it stand out dramatically among the thousands of livestock gathered and prepared for the annual Islamic festival, where families and communities traditionally slaughter livestock to honor the prophet Ibrahim. In recent years, unusually large or uniquely marked sacrificial animals have grown in popularity across the country, with owners often naming them after celebrities to draw attention from potential buyers and visitors.
Unlike many celebrity-named sacrificial animals that are kept for display, this viral albino buffalo is already slated for ritual slaughter during the festival. Mridha confirmed that he has already sold the buffalo to a buyer who will complete the traditional offering as part of their Eid al-Adha observance, wrapping up its brief stretch as Bangladesh’s most unlikely new celebrity.