Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in January 2019.

A giraffe in South Africa’s Kruger National Park drew attention after being photographed with bark-like growths on its neck, making it look like it was “turning into a tree.” Wildlife photographer Helen Olive said, “At first, I thought the giraffe was just standing behind some bushes… but then I realized what I was seeing was actually part of its body.”

Experts say the condition is caused by papillomavirus, a virus that leads to thick, crusty lesions on the skin. Though alarming, it’s not deadly. “The lesions can become extremely irritating,” and may cause secondary infections if scratched open.

The virus likely spreads through oxpeckers—birds that feed on ticks but can also irritate the skin and transmit the virus as they peck. Papillomavirus affects many animals, including humans and rabbits, but each strain is species-specific and not contagious across species.

Despite its condition, the giraffe is expected to survive. South Africa’s giraffe population has rebounded to over 30,000 due to conservation, but this case reminds us that wildlife faces ongoing threats.

This strange sighting has become one of the park’s most unforgettable, showing nature’s surprises aren’t always dangerous—just unusual.