A giraffe in South Africa’s Kruger National Park is hitting the front page after being noticed with an unusual condition that made it look like it was slowly transforming into a tree.
Photos of the giraffe show its neck covered in rough, bark-like growths. While at first glimpse it might look like a bizarre camouflage or a rare mutation, the real interpretation is something a bit more familiar — a viral contagion known as papillomavirus.
The virus, which is known to affect a variety of animals including cattle, leads to thick, crusty lesions to form on the skin. While the growths may look horrible, experts say the virus is not deadly. However, the lesions can become extremely frustrating, especially if they’re scratched frequently, which can cause to open wounds or secondary infections.
In giraffes, papillomavirus is most frequently disseminated by oxpeckers — small birds that often sit on large mammals and feed on the ticks living in their skin. While they help manage parasites, these birds may accidentally spread viruses by snacking at irritated skin.
The giraffe was captured by Helen Olive, a seasoned wildlife photographer and civil servant from Oxfordshire, England. She’s spent over 15 years photographing animals in the wild — but says this situation was unlike anything she’d ever seen.
“At first, I thought the giraffe was just standing behind some bushes,” Olive said.
“But then I spotted what I was seeing was actually part of its body — it looked like the giraffe had a virus that made its skin appear like tree bark.”
Papillomavirus is not existed in giraffes. It appears in many species, including humans, rabbits, and chimpanzees. Each strain is highly species-specific, meaning the version affecting giraffes poses no risk to other animals or people.
Giraffes are the tallest land mammals on Earth, capable of growing nearly 20 feet tall. They roam savannahs and open woodlands across Africa, including in South Africa, where conservationists have worked hard to rebuild their numbers.
Following years of challenges because of poaching, habitat loss, and disease, South Africa’s giraffe population has recovered to over 30,000 — thanks to centered preservation efforts. Still, unusual cases like this serve as a reminder that even iconic wildlife deals with lesser-known risks.
In spite of its strange appearance, this giraffe is predicted to survive, as papillomavirus infections generally don’t reduce lifespan unless difficulties increase.
For now, it maintains one of Kruger National Park’s more mysterious — and remarkable — noticing.
