A buffalo in Bangladesh, that many people online believe to be a lookalike of the US President Donald Trump, has been spared from being sacrificed on Bakrid thanks to its looks and popularity. It has now been shifted to the Bangladesh National Zoo, where it will be kept on public display.

By Sai Prakash Banoth

Hyderabad: A Buffalo that went viral online for its resemblance to US President Donald Trump has been spared from an Eid al-Adha (Bakrid) sacrifice and relocated to Bangladesh’s National Zoo.

The animal, weighing nearly 700kg, drew attention on social media in the days leading up to Eid al-Adha after photos and videos showed its distinctive white forehead patch and comb-over-like hair pattern. Viewers quickly dubbed it the “Donald Trump buffalo,” and clips racked up millions of views.

The buffalo, earlier sold by its owner, 38-year-old Zia Uddin Mridha, had already been bought for the ritual slaughter, but amid growing public interest, government officials intervened, citing safety concerns.

Bangladesh’s Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed ordered the buffalo to be spared, the buyer refunded, and the animal transfered to the national zoo in Dhaka.

They animal will now remain in Bangladesh National Zoo, where it will be kept on public display rather than being sacrificed.

Zoo officials reportedly said the move was intended to protect the animal amid the viral attention and to give visitors a chance to see it safely.

The buffalo is now housed in a designated enclosure and is expected to become one of the zoo’s most photographed residents.