Crocodile Dundee’s iconic reptile Burt has died ‘peacefully’ at the estimated age of 90.
Burt had a starring role in the 1986 film which follows Australian crocodile hunter Mick Dundee (Paul Hogan) as he relocates to New York to be profiled by American journalist Sue Charlton (Linda Kozlowski).
He landed the role in the action comedy film after being captured in the 1980s in the Reynolds River, with his appearance helping to shape ‘Australia’s image as a land of rugged natural beauty and awe-inspiring wildlife.’
Burt’s death was confirmed by crocodile herpetarium and aquarium attraction Crocosaurus Cove in Darwin, where he had live since 2008 and was a ‘fierce and fascinating ambassador for crocodile education.’
On Facebook, the crocodile park wrote in tribute to Burt: ‘Known for his independent nature, Burt was a confirmed bachelor—an attitude he made clear during his earlier years at a crocodile farm.
‘His fiery temperament earned him the respect of his caretakers and visitors alike, as he embodied the raw and untamed spirit of the saltwater crocodile.
‘Burt was truly one of a kind. He wasn’t just a crocodile; he was a force of nature and a reminder of the power and majesty of these incredible creatures.
‘While his personality could be challenging, it was also what made him so memorable and beloved by those who worked with him and the thousands who visited him over the years. Visitors from around the globe marvelled at his impressive size and commanding presence, especially at feeding time.’
On the social media site, former visitors also remembered Burt, with Rachel Hopkins writing: ‘So sad to hear this news. I had the honour of getting to know Burt and the other crocodiles on a vip tour year (including feeding him!) It gave me a better insight and understanding of these incredible creatures.
‘My thoughts are with you all there at Crocosaurus Cove Darwin and i look forward to coming back next year. Best wishes from south australia xx RIP Burt.’
Paying tribute Mac Baxter said: ‘I had the amazing privilege of getting to feed Burt as part of my VIP tour when I visited in October 2022. He was truly such an incredibly beautiful and powerful animal and feeding him was one of the great moments of my time up in Darwin. RIP Burt.’
Liz Higgins added: ‘RIP Burt, what a legend and a lovely write up about your story.’
Crocodile Dundee was a critical and commerical hit when it landed in cinemas, earning an Oscar nomination for best original screenplay.
It spawned two sequels: Crocodile Dundee II in 1988 and Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles in 2001.
In the UK, the BBC premiere of Crocodile Dundee still holds the record for the biggest Christmas Day audience of all time with 21.8 million viewers tuning in to watch the film in 1989.
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