A South African couple, Marius and Michelle Nortje, came across something amazing in the huge Kruger National Park that left them dumbfounded. The couple was driving as usual when they saw three giraffes coming out of the bushes. They were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. One of the giraffes, though, drew their attention since it had weird growths all over its body [1].
Marius, a professional wildlife photographer, promptly took pictures of the giraffe, and they swiftly spread on social media. The pictures made people curious and worried, and a lot of them wondered if the giraffe was hurt. Dr. Gemna Campling, the founder and director of WorldWide Vets, says that the giraffe has a disease caused by papillomavirus, which is transferred by direct touch, probably via oxpecker birds [2].
A Condition That Isn’t Life-Threatening but Is Unpleasant
The sickness may look bad, but it’s not deadly. Most instances of Bovine Papillomavirus (BPV) are self-limiting and the animal will fully recover. Dr. Campling, on the other hand, says that the lumps can become painful when they get worse. Even though the giraffe had big bumps on its body, it was quietly eating grass and didn’t seem to be bothered by it [2].
A Strong Reminder
The experience was a strong reminder of how strong and weak wildlife can be. For Marius and Michelle, it was a moment that made them realise how important it is to value and protect these amazing animals. The event also made it clear how important it is to learn about wildlife diseases and conservation [1].