Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in January 2019.

A giraffe in South Africa’s Kruger National Park is grabbing headlines after being spotted with an unusual condition that made it look like it was slowly turning into a tree.

Photos of the giraffe reveal its neck covered in rough, bark-like growths. While at first glance it might look like a bizarre camouflage or a rare mutation, the real explanation is something a bit more familiar — a viral infection known as papillomavirus.

The virus, which is known to affect a variety of animals including cattle, causes thick, crusty lesions to form on the skin. While the growths may look alarming, experts say the virus is not deadly. However, the lesions can become extremely irritating, especially if they’re scratched repeatedly, which can lead to open wounds or secondary infections.

In giraffes, papillomavirus is most commonly spread by oxpeckers — small birds that often sit on large mammals and feed on the ticks living in their skin. While they help control parasites, these birds may inadvertently spread viruses by pecking at irritated skin.

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