While most couples might mark their 40th wedding anniversary with a cruise or a tropical getaway, Marius and Michelle Nortje had other plans — a return to the place they love most: the untamed wilderness of South Africa.
Their celebration led them deep into Kruger National Park, where a routine game drive turned into an extraordinary and unforgettable wildlife encounter.
“We usually visit once a year — sometimes up to four times,” Marius shared with The Citizen. A passionate wildlife photographer, Marius thought he’d seen it all. But nothing could have prepared him for what stepped out of the bush that day.
Searching for lions, the couple took a gravel road off the main tar route. Instead of big cats, three giraffes appeared — and one of them immediately stood out.
“She had unusual growths covering her body,” Marius recalled. Without hesitation, he grabbed his camera and started shooting. Later, he posted the images on Facebook, where they quickly sparked both fascination and concern.
“People were asking if she was in pain,” he said. “But she was calmly grazing. It didn’t seem to bother her, even though it looked uncomfortable.”
To raise awareness, Marius tagged the South African National Parks (SANParks) in his post, though at the time of the interview, he hadn’t received a response.
A Viral Mystery Solved
The photos eventually caught the attention of WorldWide Vets, an international animal welfare group. According to Dr. Gemma Campling, the organization's founder and director, the giraffe is suffering from a rare condition caused by papillomavirus.
“There are several types of papillomavirus, each specific to different species,” she explained. “In this case, it’s believed to be Bovine Papillomavirus (BPV), which affects cattle but has been seen in giraffes.”
Dr. Campling believes the virus may have spread through oxpecker birds — common hitchhikers on large herbivores.
“These birds feed on parasites found on animals’ skin. If they land on an infected animal, they can transfer the virus when they move to another host. Interestingly, only this one giraffe appeared affected — which aligns with patterns seen in previous sightings.”
Although the condition looks alarming, it’s not usually fatal.
“Most BPV cases resolve on their own over time,” Dr. Campling said. “There’s no treatment for it in wild giraffes, but veterinarians monitor these cases closely. And importantly, the virus can’t be passed on to humans — though a similar virus, HPV, affects people.”
Still, she acknowledged the discomfort such growths can cause. “It’s not life-threatening, but when the tumors become this large, it’s almost certainly uncomfortable,” she added.
A Wild Reminder of Nature’s Resilience
Despite her condition, the giraffe appeared calm and peaceful — a detail that left a lasting impression on thousands of people who saw the photos online. Reactions ranged from awe to empathy, as the image of this resilient creature touched hearts around the world.
For Marius and Michelle, the experience was more than just a rare sighting — it was a reminder of why they keep coming back to the bush, year after year.
Some of life’s most powerful moments, they say, happen when you least expect them. And through Marius’s lens, the world got a glimpse of both the fragility and strength that define the wild.
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