The controversial albino buffalo named after US President Donald Trump has been transferred from the National Zoo in Mirpur to the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) in Savar for research purposes and is currently in quarantine.
BLRI officials said the National Zoo formally handed over the buffalo on Sunday following instructions from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.
The institute has formed a 13-member committee, headed by Gautam Kumar Deb, chief scientific officer and head of the Buffalo Production Research Division, to monitor the animal's condition and oversee research activities.
Gautam Kumar Deb said the buffalo will remain in quarantine for 14 to 21 days, as it was previously housed at the zoo.
"Our priority is to ensure the buffalo remains disease-free during this period. After quarantine, we will assess how it can be utilized for research," he said.
The buffalo was previously raised at Rabeya Agro Farm in Narayanganj's Paikpara area, owned by Zia Uddin Mridha. Its unusual coat and appearance attracted widespread attention ahead of Eid-ul-Adha, prompting its owners to nickname it "Donald Trump" after the current US president, Donald Trump.
The buffalo subsequently gained significant attention in local and international media.
Later, Zia Uddin sold the animal to Moniruzzaman of Keraniganj. Ahead of Eid-ul-Adha, it was brought from Narayanganj to Keraniganj.
On the day before Eid, law enforcement officials took custody of the buffalo following intervention by the Home Ministry. It was initially taken to the Keraniganj police station before being transferred to the National Zoo in Mirpur.
