In South Africa’s Kruger National Park, one giraffe is turning heads—and not just because of its height.

Spotted from a distance, it looked more like a tree than a living creature. Its long neck appeared covered in thick, bark-like patches, blending eerily into the dry landscape. But as it moved, it became clear—this was no tree. It was a giraffe, battling a strange skin condition caused by the papillomavirus.

This viral infection creates tough, crusty lesions on the skin. While its appearance can be alarming, experts say it’s usually not life-threatening. However, the lesions can become irritated or infected—especially when scratched or picked at.

Interestingly, the virus may be unintentionally spread by oxpeckers—small birds that usually help by eating ticks off animals. In this case, though, their pecking can actually make things worse, opening wounds and spreading the virus. It’s a reminder of how delicate the balance in nature really is—even helpful creatures can do harm without meaning to.

Wildlife photographer Helen Olive was the first to notice the giraffe. “It looked like a tree until it moved,” she said, still amazed by the surreal moment. Her photos quickly went viral, stirring both wonder and worry online. Despite its unusual appearance, the giraffe seemed healthy—walking, grazing, and behaving like any other.

Papillomavirus is surprisingly common in the animal world—from humans and cattle to rabbits and now giraffes. But it’s species-specific, so there’s no risk of it jumping between animals or to humans.

Encouragingly, giraffe populations in South Africa have been on the rise, now numbering over 30,000. But this unusual case is a quiet reminder: the wild, as beautiful as it is, often hides its struggles in plain sight.