This cow, believed to be the shortest in the world, has drawn in tens of thousands of visitors to a Bangladeshi farm after becoming an unlikely celebrity during lockdown.

Rani, who suffers from dwarfism, is just 51 centimetres (20 in) tall and 66 centimetres (26 in) long. Its owner, M.A. Hasan Howlader, believes it may be the world’s shortest.

The current world record belongs to a Vechur cow named Manikyam from the Indian state of Kerala, which measures 61.1 centimetres (24.1 in) from the hoof to the withers.

Thousands have reportedly been breaching lockdown restrictions to visit the unique specimen at Shikor Agro farm in the town of Charigram, some 19 miles from the capital, Dhaka.

Rani is a Bhutanese cow breed from the same subspecies as Manikyam, the zebu (Bos taurus indicus), also known as the indicine, or humped, cow.

The zebu originates in the Indian sub-continent and is used as a working animal. It is also bred for dairy, beef, hides and dung, the latter of which are used for fuel and manure respectively.

It has a fatty hump on its shoulders and a large dewlap (loose skin hanging under the neck), and some have drooping ears.

The Vecchur breed is valued for the large amount of milk it produces relative to the quantity of food it requires. Conservation efforts launched in 1989 saved it from extinction.

The Bhutanese, or ‘Boxer Bhutti’, breed, on the other hand, is prized for its meat.

Howlader reported on 7th July that over 15,000 people had come to see Rani in the past three days alone after local newspapers and television channels reported on it.

Most visitors came to take selfies with the diminutive 23-month-old bovine, leading Howlader to tell AFP: “Honestly speaking, we are tired.”

Regional chief vet Sajedul Islam believes Rani’s condition is down to genetic inbreeding and believes it will not grow any bigger.

Guinness World Records have reportedly promised a decision within 90 days.