Most people celebrating their 40th anniversary might opt for a cruise or a beach getaway — but for South African couple Marius and Michelle Nortje, nothing beats a trip to the wild.Their love story, already four decades strong, was about to take an unforgettable turn deep inside Kruger National Park.

What started as a routine drive turned into a moment the couple — and soon the internet — would never forget.

We go at least once a year, but sometimes as much as four times,” Marius said in an interview with The Citizen.

But during their anniversary trip this past December, something extraordinary emerged from the bush: three giraffes. And one of them was unlike anything Marius, a seasoned wildlife photographer, had ever seen.READ MORE BELOW

Following years of challenges because of poaching, habitat loss, and disease, South Africa’s giraffe population has recovered to over 30,000 — thanks to centered preservation efforts. Still, unusual cases like this serve as a reminder that even iconic wildlife deals with lesser-known risks.

In spite of its strange appearance, this giraffe is predicted to survive, as papillomavirus infections generally don’t reduce lifespan unless difficulties increase.

For now, it maintains one of Kruger National Park’s more mysterious — and remarkable — noticing.