Zoo curator suspended over Donald Trump buffalo mameplate

The government has suspended the curator of the National Zoo in Dhaka following controversy over a nameplate attached to a rare albino buffalo, amid criticism over spelling errors and administrative lapses surrounding the animal's public display.

According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, curator Dr Md Atikur Rahman has been temporarily suspended and will face departmental proceedings under the Government Service Act and disciplinary regulations.

The move follows widespread criticism after the buffalo, reportedly nicknamed after U.S. President Donald Trump, was displayed with a misspelled version of the name on its information board. The issue quickly gained traction on social media, prompting scrutiny from higher authorities.

Officials familiar with the matter said the handling of the animal’s identification and the approval process behind the controversial nameplate were viewed as serious administrative failures. However, ministry documents did not specify a single reason for the disciplinary action.

The ministry also announced a reshuffle in zoo management, appointing Dr Md Habibur Rahman as the new curator. The controversial signboard has since been removed, and the rare animal is now being displayed under the generic designation “White Buffalo.”

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The albino buffalo, weighing around 700 kilograms, attracted nationwide attention during the Eid-ul-Adha season because of its unusual pinkish-white appearance and distinctive physical features. It was later transferred to the National Zoo for conservation and public exhibition.