A buffalo in Bangladesh has gone from being prepared for Eid sacrifice to becoming an unlikely internet celebrity after social media users decided it bore a striking resemblance to US President Donald Trump.

The nearly 700-kilogram albino buffalo captured widespread attention online ahead of Eid al-Adha after videos and photographs of the animal began circulating across Facebook and local social media platforms.

Its pale colouring, distinctive patch of white hair on the forehead, and unusual tuft resembling Trump’s signature hairstyle quickly earned it the nickname ‘Donald Trump buffalo’, turning the animal into a viral sensation almost overnight.

As curiosity around the buffalo intensified, crowds reportedly gathered to catch a glimpse of it, while clips featuring the animal amassed millions of views online.

What initially began as a light-hearted comparison soon transformed into a full-fledged public craze, prompting Bangladeshi authorities to step in before the animal could be sacrificed during Eid festivities.

The buffalo, owned by 38-year-old farmer Zia Uddin Mridha, had already been sold for sacrifice.

However, officials intervened at the last moment and arranged for the animal to be transferred to the Bangladesh National Zoo in Dhaka, where it will now remain under protection and be displayed to visitors.

Officials cited both public fascination and security concerns behind the unusual decision.

Reports quoting government authorities said the level of attention surrounding the buffalo had become so intense that officials feared possible disorder or safety risks if the sacrifice went ahead publicly during Eid.

Zoo authorities have since placed the buffalo in a designated enclosure, where it is already drawing curious visitors eager to photograph the now-famous animal.

Speaking to local media earlier this month, Mridha had explained how the buffalo got its unusual nickname.

According to him, the comparison began as a family joke after his younger brother noticed similarities between the animal’s hairstyle and that of Trump.

Mridha also described the buffalo as unusually gentle and calm, noting that albino buffaloes are generally peaceful unless provoked.

He said the animal had been raised on a carefully maintained diet that included corn, soybeans, and bran, contributing to both its impressive size and healthy appearance.

The viral fame has also shone a spotlight on another buffalo at the same farm.

Weighing more than 750 kilograms, the second animal has reportedly been nicknamed ‘Benjamin Netanyahu’ by farm workers, who describe it as energetic, stubborn, and far more aggressive than its calmer counterpart.

The bizarre episode has sparked amusement online across South Asia, with many social media users joking that the ‘Donald Trump buffalo’ may now be one of Bangladesh’s most unexpected celebrity attractions.