A giraffe in South Africa’s Kruger National Park is making headlines after being spotted with bark-like growths on its neck, giving it the eerie appearance of turning into a tree. The unusual condition is caused by papillomavirus, a viral infection that creates thick, crusty skin lesions in animals.
Though the giraffe’s appearance may seem alarming, experts confirm the virus is not deadly. However, the lesions can be irritating and may become infected if scratched or aggravated.
In giraffes, the virus is often spread by oxpeckers—birds that feed on parasites but may worsen wounds by repeatedly pecking, potentially transmitting the virus in the process.
Wildlife photographer Helen Olive captured the eye-catching images and was initially fooled. “It looked like part of the landscape until I realized the bark was actually its skin,” she said.