The albino buffalo known as “Donald Trump”, which has attracted widespread attention across the world, will not be sacrificed during Eid-ul-Adha, authorities said on Wednesday.
The Bangladesh National Zoo has decided to relocate the rare animal to its facility in Mirpur, Dhaka, for preservation purposes.
Keraniganj Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ruhul Quddus told TIMES of Bangladesh that the buffalo had been brought back from the owner’s residence. “As it is a rare species, the animal has been handed over to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock,” he said.
Mohammad Rafiqul Islam Talukdar, Director of the Bangladesh National Zoo, said a dedicated shed has already been prepared to house the buffalo. He added that the animal would be brought to the zoo at night after the handover process is completed and will remain open for public display.
According to the Dhaka District Livestock Department, the government has officially acquired the buffalo from the buyer for Tk3.30 lakh in the interest of conservation.
Earlier, amid concerns over excessive crowds and possible disorder surrounding the buffalo, authorities decided not to sacrifice the animal after the intervention of Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed. The buyer from Keraniganj was refunded the purchase amount.
Although there were initially plans to return the buffalo to its previous farm, the government later made a final decision to preserve it at the National Zoo.
