A taxidermist’s unusual cargo caused quite a stir among drivers in Michigan. Motorists spotted what appeared to be a giraffe in the bed of a pickup truck, prompting confusion and concern across social media and local communities.
The odd sight prompted a flurry of online activity. One person posted on Facebook, “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.” The post included the question, “Does anyone know anything about this? Is it even real lol.”
The public’s interest led Darren Wehner, a taxidermist and big game hunter, to clear up the situation. Wehner works at St. Clair Flats Taxidermy and was commissioned by an unnamed museum to preserve and mount the giraffe. The animal, he explained, had died of natural causes at a zoo.
Wehner said he was about 60 hours into the project when he was seen transporting the taxidermied giraffe in Macomb County. His work is, as he phrased it, “to preserve them so you can appreciate them forever. 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.”
Many online users praised Wehner’s skill. One comment read, “Awesome job!! Looks so realistic!”
