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.
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