The death of a major Crocodile Dundee movie star over the weekend has left fans in sadness.
Crocodile Dundee, the highest-grossing Australian picture ever, was released in 1986 and was a huge smash. It was set in both New York City and the Australian Outback.
Paul Hogan, who portrayed the daring Michael “Crocodile” Dundee, even won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy as a result of the film.
However, Burt, a 5.1-meter giant Saltwater crocodile weighing over 700 kg, was a lesser-known but no less significant co-star of the movie.
Before his ‘peaceful’ death at a crocodile zoo in Darwin, Australia, over the weekend, the beast was said to be over 90 years old. His caretakers described him as quite the character.
On Monday, December 23, Crocosaurus Cove, the crocodile attraction and aquarium that had cared for Burt since 2008, confirmed his passing and posted a heartfelt ode to its “iconic” resident.
“Burt’s life story is one of strength, resilience, and a personality as bold as the Top End itself,” the team wrote in a Facebook post.
“Captured in the 1980s in the Reynolds River, Burt became one of the most recognised crocodiles in the world, appearing in Crocodile Dundee and helping to shape Australia’s image as a land of rugged natural beauty and awe-inspiring wildlife.”
According to the staff, Burt became a “fierce and fascinating ambassador for crocodile education” after arriving at Crocosaurus Cove. He was renowned for “his independent nature” and “bachelor” attitude.
The message continued: “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.”
Although they acknowledged that his personality “could be challenging,” they stated Burt was “truly one of a kind” and “wasn’t just a crocodile” but rather a spectacular “force of nature.”
Nevertheless, it was his extraordinary strength and personality that drew thousands of tourists throughout the years and won him the affection of those who cared for him.
According to the zoo staff, Burt’s passing signifies “the end of an incredible era,” and they intend to install a memorial plaque at the attraction in his honor.
The message continued: “As we mourn his loss, we are reminded of the vital role wildlife plays in our shared history and the importance of preserving it for future generations.”
Since then, hundreds of followers have flooded social media with their own happy Burt memories.
Someone else wrote: “RIP Burt, it was a joy feeding you back at the Darwin Crocodile Farm back in the days and you terrified me some days when you were in a bad mood, especially trying to scrub the Moss off you.”
Another added: “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.”
In a media appearance on Monday, Australian Parks and Wildlife Minister Marie-Clare Boothby also referred to Burt as a “true icon of the Territory.”
When two “intoxicated” teenagers broke into Burt’s enclosure at 4 a.m. to insult him and hurl stuff at him that he allegedly “destroyed,” he made headlines for the last time in 2015.
In addition to costarring with Hogan and Linda Kozlowski in the first film, Burt served as the model for the CGI crocodile in the 2007 movie Rogue.
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