Rani, the shortest cow ever, has sadly passed away.
Measuring 50.8 cm (20 in) in height, and weighing just 26 kg (57 lb), Rani rose to fame in July 2021 after videos and images of her stature went viral.
The two-year-old Bhutti, or Bhutanese cow, lived on a farm near Dhaka, Bangladesh.
@guinnessworldrecords Shortest #cow♬ original sound – Guinness World Records
Bhutti cows are prized for their meat, however, Rani’s owner, Kazi Sufian, quickly realised she couldn’t be sold for that purpose.
Beyond being the smallest cow Kazi had ever seen, it dawned on him that Rani may be the smallest cow anyone had ever seen.
“The other Bhuttis on the farm are twice Rani’s size,” he explained.
Kazi waited until Rani was nearly two years old before staking her claim as the shortest cow in the world. He thought it would be a great way to inform the world of this breed of cattle.
Rani was an instant internet sensation.
Thousands of people made the pilgrimage to Charigram in the hopes of witnessing the special cow.
“More than 20,000 people turned up at the farm this week to catch a glimpse of Rani and take selfies with her.”
Sadly, the following month, on 19 August 2021, Rani passed away after suffering stomach swelling.
According to local reports, this was caused by overeating and gas accumulation in the stomach. She was rushed to receive treatment, however, the vets were unable to save her.
As unique as she was beautiful, Rani will always be remembered as the shortest, and perhaps cutest, cow ever.