A giraffe in 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 condition is caused by papillomavirus, a viral infection that creates thick, crusty skin lesions in animals.
Though the virus looks alarming, experts say it’s not deadly. However, the lesions can be irritating and may lead to infections if scratched. In giraffes, the virus is often spread by oxpeckers, birds that feed on parasites but may transmit viruses by pecking at wounds.
Wildlife photographer Helen Olive captured the striking images and initially mistook the giraffe for a tree. “It looked like part of the landscape until I realized the bark was actually its skin,” she said.
Papillomavirus is common across species—including humans and rabbits—but each strain is species-specific and not contagious to others. Despite its unusual look, the giraffe is expected to survive. South Africa’s giraffe population has rebounded to over 30,000, but this case is a reminder of the hidden health challenges wild animals still face.
