Published: 12:14 AM, 01 June 2026
Zoo official suspended over albino buffalo
A National Zoo official is reportedly on the verge of losing his job after a sign bearing the name "Donald Trump" was placed at the enclosure of the much-discussed buffalo. On Saturday, the government issued an order temporarily suspending Atikur Rahman, the curator of the National Zoo.
The notification, signed by Md. Delwar Hossain, Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, accused Atikur Rahman of misconduct.
However, the notice did not specify the nature of the alleged misconduct, nor has the government provided any official explanation.
A Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock official, speaking to journalists on condition of anonymity, said, "Government affairs cannot be run based on what goes viral on Facebook. The higher authorities did not find it appropriate to officially display a buffalo with the name of a foreign head of state. Moreover, the spelling of the name was reportedly incorrect."
The notification stated that disciplinary proceedings had been initiated against Dr. Md. Atikur Rahman, a BCS (Livestock) cadre officer and curator of the National Zoo, under Section 39(1) of the Government Service Act, 2018, and Rule 3(b) of the Government Employees (Discipline and Appeal) Rules on charges of misconduct.
It further stated that, under Rule 12(1) of the same regulations, the authorities considered it necessary and appropriate to suspend him temporarily. During the suspension period, he will receive a subsistence allowance in accordance with the rules.
The rare albino buffalo was originally purchased from the Rajshahi City cattle market and had been raised for ten months at Rabeya Agro Farm in Narayanganj.
Because of its hairstyle and facial features, which resembled those of the U.S. President, the buffalo was named "Donald Trump."
The buffalo was taken to its buyer's residence in Keraniganj, Dhaka, on Monday for sacrifice during Eid-Ul-Azha.
The animal received a grand farewell: draped in a blue velvet cloak, showered with flower petals, accompanied by colorful smoke effects, and led along a red carpet.
After videos and photographs of the buffalo spread across the country through various media platforms, several international news outlets also published stories about it.
However, before the media attention, a resident of the Zinjira area in Keraniganj had already booked the animal for sacrifice.
As Eid approached, the buyer completed the payment and took possession of the buffalo on Monday, according to Ziauddin Mridha, owner of Rabeya Agro Farm.
He said the buffalo, weighing 700 kilograms, was sold for 385,000 taka under the live-weight pricing system at 550 taka per kilogram.
The buffalo, which attracted attention not only in Bangladesh but also abroad, was taken to the National Zoo on Wednesday night.
Earlier that day, Home Affairs Adviser Salahuddin Ahmed told Jamuna Television that, due to concerns about potential disorder, the buyer in Keraniganj had been refunded and the buffalo returned to the farm, where it would be cared for temporarily.
Later that night, National Zoo Director Rafiqul Islam Talukder announced that a decision had been made to keep "Donald Trump" at the zoo and that the buffalo was being transferred there.
During the Eid holidays, the animal became one of the main attractions for visitors to the National Zoo in Mirpur, Dhaka. In fact, the buffalo, housed in Block L-07, drew such large crowds that it rivaled-and in some cases surpassed-the popularity of the zoo's tigers and lions.
