YouTube star and wildlife conservationist Graham “Dingo” Dinkelman died after suffering complications from a venomous snake bite. He was 44.
“Good evening family and friends. 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,” Dinkelman’s wife, Kristy, wrote in a Facebook statement shared on Saturday, October 26. “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.”
She continued, “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.”
Dinkelman was hospitalized last month after being bitten by a poisonous snake.
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“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,” Kristy concluded on Saturday. “We love you Dingo and we will always celebrate your incredible impact on each of our lives.”
Dinkelman was best known as South Africa’s Steve Irwin, another famous conservationist who died on the job. (Irwin died at age 44 in 2006 following a stingray attack.)
Kristy previously revealed that Dinkelman had an allergy to snake venom and went into anaphylactic shock after he was bitten by a reptile.
“Fortunately, we were able to rush him straight to hospital,” she said in a September 30 statement shared via Dinkelman’s Instagram page. “He is currently in ICU, on a ventilator and in an induced coma. The doctors are keeping him heavily sedated to give his body as much of a fighting chance to fully recover.”
Kristy added at the time, “We have a very long road ahead of us, but Dingo is being cared for by an incredible team of amazing doctors and nurses, whose we are so grateful for. … My husband is the toughest, bravest and strongest man I know, and [our kids] TJ, Maddy, Rex and I are so thankful that he has fought so hard to stay with us and are really praying and trusting for a miracle.”
Dinkelman is survived by Kristy and the couple’s three children. Rex, for his part, often appeared in wildlife videos with his father.
