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Graham “Dingo” Dinkleman, a YouTuber and wildlife conservationist, died at the age of 44 due to a venomous snake bite—the same age at which Steve Irwin was killed after being pierced by a stingray.
By Hayley Santaflorentina Oct 31, 2024 1:39 PMTags
In Memoriam: Fallen Stars of 2024
Fans are in mourning after history feels to be repeating itself.
Graham “Dingo” Dinkleman—a popular YouTuber and wildlife conservationist whose interactions with the natural world earned him the title of South Africa’s Steve Irwin—has died following a month-long health battle from a venomous snake bite, his wife Kirsty Dinkelman confirmed. He was 44.
“Dingo fought incredibly hard throughout this very difficult period,” Kirsty shared via a statement from African Reptile and Venom Oct. 26. “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.”
She continued of her husband, with whom she shared children TJ, Maddy and Rex, “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.”
Kirsty previously shared one month prior to Dingo’s passing that her husband had suffered a bite from a venomous snake—which the Telegraph reported to be a green mamba—and had been receiving treatment after going into anaphylactic shock.
“He is currently in ICU, on a ventilator and in an induced coma,” she wrote in her Sept. 30 update, posted to Dingo’s Instagram account. “The doctors are keeping him heavily sedated to give his body as much of a fighting chance to fully recover.”
She continued, “We have a very long road ahead of us. But Dingo is being cared for by an incredible team of amazing doctors and nurses whom we are so grateful for.”
Instagram/Dingo Dinkleman
Kirsty shared an additional update shortly after, in which she noted he was still in the ICU.
“He continues to fight with all his strength,” she added in the Oct. 9 post, “and so we have to hope in his recovery.”
She continued, “Thank you so much for all the support we have received, and for everyone who has reached out. We continue to be overwhelmed with messages of love and concern. Please know we are so grateful.”
Dingo’s social media—with an Instagram account boasting almost 650k fans—was full of videos and images of him handling snakes, facing alligators head-on and interacting with all walks of wildlife.
His antics and natural way with animals caused many fans to draw comparisons to Steve, who also died at the age of 44 in 2006 after being pierced in the chest by a stingray.
But as Kirsty and her children grapple with Dingo’s loss, the legacy he left behind will not be easily forgotten.
As Kirsty concluded her Oct. 26 message, “We love you Dingo and we will always celebrate your incredible impact on each of our lives.”
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