Giraffes are hard to miss, particularly when they’re sticking out of the back of a pickup truck. That’s exactly what happened recently in Michigan, when a taxidermist’s unusual cargo – a stuffed giraffe – caught the eye of motorists and sparked an online frenzy.
Motorists did a double take as they spotted the giraffe’s long neck seemingly slumped over the side of the vehicle. The images quickly went viral, with many questioning the authenticity of the sighting. Others voiced concerns, wondering aloud if the animal had been hunted. Some even joked about the giraffe’s resemblance to a certain Toys-R-Us mascot.
The initial post on Facebook, made on Feb. 27, read, “My buddy was on his way home from work and saw what appears to be a real deceased giraffe in the bed of someone’s truck. Does anyone know anything about this? Is it even real lol.”
The online speculation led to a public clarification from Darren Wehner, the taxidermist and big game hunter behind the project. Wehner, who works at St. Clair Flats Taxidermy, explained that he was commissioned by an unnamed museum to preserve and mount the giraffe. According to FOX 2, the animal died of natural causes at a zoo. He was transporting the nearly completed replica in Macomb County when the photos were taken.
“My job is to preserve them so you can appreciate them forever,” Wehner told the outlet. “Some people may find it strange or different, but to me, it’s art. When we receive it, it’s no different than leather. It’s just leather with hair on it.” He later shared progress photos on Facebook, garnering praise for his craftsmanship.
Comments on Wehner’s posts included, “Awesome job!! Looks so realistic!” and “Thanks for solving that mystery!! Really had people thinking Giraffe(s) were being hunted in Michigan.”
