Warts and tall: Giraffe is covered in unsightly bumps due to birds pecking at its skin
- The warty giraffe was spotted in the Kruger National Park in South Africa
- It is believed to have been suffering from papillomavirus which causes lesions
- It is spread by oxpecker birds grooming their skin as they feed on ticks
- The virus is not life-threatening but does cause the animal itchy skin
The Giraffe's neck is covered in the warty lesions which look like knots on a tree trunk
A giraffe that appeared to be turning into a tree has been spotted in South Africa's Kruger National Park.
The animal's neck was covered with strange bark-like bumps which are, in fact, lesions caused by papillomavirus.
The virus, which is not life threatening, tends to affect cattle and causes large irritable lesions to develop on their bodies.
In giraffes it is spread from animal to animal by oxpecker birds who feed on ticks in their skin.
Although the virus will not kill them, the sores are sometimes itchy and if persistently scratched can open into wounds and infections.
This giraffe was spotted by Helen Olive, a civil servant from Oxfordshire who has been photographing wildlife for 15 years.
The giraffe has the warts across its skin, but predominantly around its neck, Helen Olive took the pictures while on holiday in the Kruger National Park
Giraffe's are the world's largest land mammal, reaching heights of almost 20 feet which allows them to graze on tall trees in the African bush
She said: 'Initially I wasn't sure what was wrong with the giraffe as it was standing behind bushes and trees, but then I realised the giraffe had what looked to be a virus.'
The papillomavirus is found across several species including humans, chimps and rabbits, and each strain is highly developed to each animal it affects.
The giraffe is the tallest land mammal in the world, reaching heights of almost 20 feet, the beasts are found throughout Africa.
South Africa has an estimated population of just over 30,000 giraffes after extensive conservation efforts have been made to recuperate the population which has been stricken by hunting and disease.