Graham Dingo Dinkleman, a wildlife conservationist and YouTuber known for his close encounters with dangerous reptiles, has died after being bitten by a venomous snake. He was 44 years old.
Dinkleman, nicknamed “South Africa’s Steve Irwin” because of his resemblance to the late Australian conservationist, died on Saturday, October 26, one month after being bitten.
His wife Kirsty shared the news through a statement posted on the African Reptiles and Venom Facebook page.
“First, we would like to thank you for the incredible support and love we have felt over the past few weeks. Today marks one month since the incident, and we are grateful for all the messages and prayers from everyone around the world. “I felt so much comfort and love from the world,” the statement began.
“Dingo fought incredibly hard through this very difficult time. We know he fought to be here with us and we are very grateful for this. Sadly, despite his strength and resilience, my beloved husband passed away peacefully today surrounded by his family.” “His presence brought so much warmth, love, passion and laughter into the lives of not only us but all who knew, loved and supported him.”
In a statement posted on Instagram four weeks ago, on September 30, Kirsty explained how Dinkleman was bitten by a venomous snake and went into anaphylactic shock “due to an allergy to snake venom”. did. Kirsty said he was rushed to hospital and placed in a medically induced coma.
In a follow-up Instagram post on October 9, Kirsty said Dingo was still in intensive care and thanked supporters for their continued support and prayers.
Dinkleman’s Instagram page, which has 645,000 followers, is filled with photos of close encounters with giant alligators and dangerous snakes. One video showed a crocodile being fed a live python.
Graham “Dingo” Dinkleman.
Dingo Dinkelman/Instagram
The Telegraph reported that Dinkleman was bitten by a green mamba, a snake that had previously attracted attention on social media. According to the publication, Dinkleman was originally from Pietermaritzburg in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province and had three children. His son Rex regularly appeared in his videos.
By a sad coincidence, Irwin also passed away at the age of 44 after a deadly animal encounter. Popular presenter Crocodile Hunter died in 2006 when a stingray barb pierced his chest while diving in his native Australia.
Irwin’s widow Terry and children Bindi and Robert continue their conservation efforts.
