Thousands in Bangladesh flocked to a farm near the country’s capital, Dhaka, to see a dwarf cow called Rani. The 23-month-old animal is a Bhutti or Bhutanese cow, 51cm (20in) high. It weighs 28kg (62Ib) and seems to be smaller than an average goat. 

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More than 15,000 people reportedly visited Rani at her farm in Charigram, violating the COVID-19 norms of Bangladesh, BBC reports. People from Dhaka flocked in rickshaws despite a nationwide transportation shutdown. 

According to BBC, the farm manager Hasan Howladar has applied to the Guinness Book of Records, claiming that Rani is the world’s smallest cow.

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“I have never seen anything like this in my life,” Rina Begum, who visited the farm, told BBC Bangla.

Howladar bought Rani last year from Naogaon, a north-western Bangladeshi district. She had difficulties walking and is still afraid of other cows, the farm manager said, as per BBC. She has been kept separate from the rest of the herd.

“She doesn’t eat much. She eats a small amount of bran and straw twice a day. She likes to roam outside and seems to be happy when we take her in our arms, Howladar said.

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According to Howladar, investigators from the Guinness Book of Records would be visiting his farm this year to see if Rani is the smallest cow. 

The current record is held by Manikyam, in neighbouring India. It measures 61.1cm. Rani’s owners say she is 10 cm shorter than Manikyam. 

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Eid al-Adha begins on the evening of July 20. BBC reports that there has been speculation that Rani would be sacrificed during the festival.

“Rani is the result of genetic inbreeding and is unlikely to grow anymore,” Dr Sajedul Islam, the chief veterinarian of the government in the region, said, as per Wion. Islam told the farm to limit visitors as Rani’s health can be at risk.