For their 40th anniversary, South African couple Marius and Michelle Nortje chose a trip to Kruger National Park instead of a typical vacation. During their visit, wildlife photographer Marius spotted three giraffes, one of which had unusual growths all over her body.
He captured photos and shared them on Facebook, sparking curiosity and concern. Experts later confirmed the giraffe suffers from a rare condition caused by bovine papillomavirus (BPV), likely spread by oxpecker birds. While the lumps look painful, the giraffe seemed to graze peacefully and the disease is not deadly.
This rare sighting touched many online and reminded the Nortjes why they keep returning to the wild—sometimes the most memorable moments come unexpectedly, showing both the strength and vulnerability of wildlife.
