Graham “Dingo” Dinkleman, a wildlife conservationist and YouTuber known for getting up close and personal with dangerous reptiles, has died after being bitten by a venomous snake. He was 44.
Dinkleman, who was dubbed “South Africa’s Steve Irwin” due to his similarities to the late Australian conservationist, died on Saturday, Oct. 26 — one month after being bitten.
His wife Kirsty shared the news via a statement posted to the Africa Reptiles and Venom Facebook page.
“I want to start off by thanking you all for your incredible support and the love that we have felt over the past few weeks; today is one month since the incident and we have experienced such comfort and love from your messages and prayers from all over the world,” the statement began.
“Dingo fought incredibly hard throughout this very difficult period. We know that he was fighting to be here with us and we are so grateful for this. Sadly, despite his strength and resilience, my beloved husband passed away peacefully today, surrounded by his family,” it continued. “His presence has brought so much warmth, love, passion and laughter to our lives, as well as all of those who knew him, loved him and supported him.”
In an Instagram statement posted four weeks prior on Sept. 30, Kirsty explained how Dinkleman was bitten by a venomous snake, and “due to his allergy to snake venom,” he went “straight into anaphylactic shock.” He was rushed to a hospital and put into a medically induced coma, according to Kirsty.
In a follow-up Instagram post on Oct. 9, Kirsty said Dingo was still in the ICU and thanked supporters for their ongoing support and prayers.
Dinkleman’s Instagram page, which boasted 645,000 followers, was filled with photos of close encounters with giant crocodiles and deadly snakes. In one video, he was seen feeding a live python to a crocodile.
Graham “Dingo” Dinkleman.
Dingo Dinkelman/Instagram
The Telegraph reported that Dinkleman was bitten by a green mamba, a snake he previously highlighted on social media. Per the publication, Dinkleman was from Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa, and had three children. His son Rex was regularly featured in his videos.
In a sad coincidence, Irwin also died at age 44 after a deadly animal encounter. The popular Crocodile Hunter host died after being impaled by a stingray barb in his chest while diving in his native Australia back in 2006.
Irwin’s widow Terri and his children, Bindi and Robert, have continued his conservation mission.
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