While many couples celebrating their 40th anniversary might choose a cruise or a beach vacation, South African couple Marius and Michelle Nortje prefer an adventure in the wild.
Their love story, which has lasted for four decades, was about to take an unforgettable twist deep within Kruger National Park.
What began as a typical drive transformed into a moment that the couple — and soon the entire internet — would always remember.
“We visit at least once a year, but sometimes we go as many as four times,” Marius shared in an interview with The Citizen.
However, during their anniversary trip last December, something remarkable appeared from the bushes: three giraffes. One of them was something Marius, an experienced wildlife photographer, had never encountered before.
“We couldn’t spot [the lions] on the tar road, so we took a turn onto a gravel road. That’s when we first noticed one, then two giraffes coming out from the bushes. When the third giraffe appeared, we saw some unusual growths all over her body,” he remembered.
Quickly, Marius took a picture of the giraffe and later posted the photos on Facebook, where they sparked a lot of interest and concern.
“People were curious if she was in pain,” he mentioned. “But she was eating calmly, and it didn’t seem to bother her, even though it looked painful.”
He also tagged the South African National Parks (SANParks) in his post to spread the word, but by the time of the interview, he hadn’t heard back yet.
A rare condition.
The giraffe’s pictures gained even more attention after being shared by WorldWide Vets, a global animal welfare group. Dr. Gemna Campling, the founder and director of the organization, explained that the giraffe is dealing with a condition caused by papillomavirus.
“There are various kinds of papillomavirus, each one targeting a specific species. However, the cow variant, known as Bovine Papillomavirus or BPV, is thought to be affecting this giraffe,” Dr. Campling stated.
She mentioned that the virus spreads through direct contact — in this situation, likely through oxpecker birds.
“In this case, it is believed that oxpecker birds, which land on the giraffe and peck at its natural parasites, transmit the disease from one animal to another. The entire herd appears healthy except for this one giraffe, similar to previous instances when this disease was observed.”
Although the disease may seem alarming, it is not fatal.
“Many instances of BPV are self-limiting and can resolve on their own, allowing the animal to fully recover,” Dr. Campling noted. “There is no specific treatment for this disease in giraffes, and wildlife veterinarians are keeping a close watch on the situation. Fortunately, this strain cannot be transmitted to humans, even though the Human Papilloma Virus does exist in people.”
However, Gemma Camping adds: “While it is not a life-threatening condition, it certainly causes discomfort when the lumps become as severe as this.”
It’s tough to determine just how much pain the giraffe was experiencing, but it’s really sad to think she has to endure this. Even with the visible lumps, she was peacefully grazing — appearing unaffected by her situation. Nevertheless, the images moved many people online, creating a wave of empathy, amazement, and curiosity among thousands of viewers.
For Marius and Michelle, it served as a strong reminder of why they keep coming back to the wild.
Sometimes, the most memorable experiences happen when you least expect them. And occasionally, it takes the perspective of a dedicated nature enthusiast to show the world how both resilient and vulnerable wildlife truly is.