The South African conservation world has lost a legend. Graham “Dingo” Dinkleman, known as the country’s answer to Steve Irwin, has passed away at 44, a month after being bitten by a venomous green mamba.
Story Summary:
- Graham “Dingo” Dinkleman, a South African conservationist and YouTuber, died a month after being bitten by a green mamba, which sent him into anaphylactic shock.
- Known as “South Africa’s Steve Irwin,” Dinkleman gained fame through daring encounters with deadly reptiles and his efforts to educate about wildlife conservation.
- A former investment broker turned wildlife advocate, Dinkleman’s legacy includes breeding endangered species and running educational programs for kids.
Graham ‘Dingo’ Dinkleman dies from venomous snake bite
Dinkleman, whose daring stunts with reptiles and other wild animals captivated audiences, succumbed to complications after the snake bite led to a severe allergic reaction.
His wife, Kirsty, shared the heartbreaking news, saying Dingo passed peacefully with his family by his side after a hard-fought battle.
The fatal encounter happened on 26 September 2024, when Dinkleman, who was handling a green mamba at his home, went into anaphylactic shock almost immediately after the bite.
Rushed to the hospital, he was placed in a medically induced coma and fought for his life in ICU for a month.
Kirsty’s updates on social media kept his fans and supporters informed, and messages of love poured in from around the world.
“Dingo fought incredibly hard… Sadly, despite his strength and resilience, my beloved husband passed away,” she said in her final message.
Why Dinkleman was dubbed ‘South Africa’s Steve Irwin’
Dinkleman earned his title as “South Africa’s Steve Irwin” by diving headfirst into danger, using social media to bring viewers up close to some of the world’s deadliest creatures.
His YouTube channel, with nearly 650,000 subscribers, featured adrenaline-fuelled videos of him handling forest cobras, and crocodiles, and even de-horning rhinos to protect them from poachers.
His bold personality and commitment to conservation were unmistakable, much like Irwin’s own mission to make people fall in love with wildlife.
Dinkleman wasn’t always in wildlife; he initially worked as an investment broker before leaving to pursue his passion full-time.
Based in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, he ran programs for breeding endangered reptiles and amphibians, taught kids about wildlife at his education centre, and collaborated with groups to reintroduce animals like pangolins into the wild.
In a 2023 interview, he said:
“My calling… is to get animals into people’s lives…to convert the unconverted and get people passionate about conservation.”