The passing of a prominent star from the Crocodile Dundee film series over the weekend has brought sorrow to fans.
Released in 1986, Crocodile Dundee became the highest-grossing Australian film of all time and achieved remarkable success. The film was set in both New York City and the Australian Outback.
Paul Hogan, who played the adventurous Michael āCrocodileā Dundee, received a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy due to his performance in the film. However, Burt, a 5.1-meter-long Saltwater crocodile weighing over 700 kg, served as a lesser-known yet significant co-star.
Burt, who was reported to be over 90 years old, passed away peacefully at a crocodile zoo in Darwin, Australia, over the weekend. His caretakers described him as a remarkable character.
On Monday, December 23, Crocosaurus Cove, the crocodile attraction and aquarium that had cared for Burt since 2008, announced his death and shared a touching tribute to its āiconicā resident.
āBurtās life story exemplifies strength, resilience, and a personality as vibrant as the Top End itself,ā the team stated in a Facebook post.
āCaptured in the 1980s from the Reynolds River, Burt became one of the most recognized crocodiles globally, featuring in Crocodile Dundee and contributing to the portrayal of Australia as a land of rugged natural beauty and extraordinary wildlife.ā
According to the staff, Burt evolved into a āfierce and fascinating ambassador for crocodile educationā after his arrival at Crocosaurus Cove. He was well-known for his āindependent natureā and ābachelorā demeanor.
The announcement continued: āHis passionate demeanor garnered the admiration of both his caretakers and visitors, as he represented the fierce and unrestrained essence of the saltwater crocodile.ā
While they recognized that his character ācould be demanding,ā they emphasized that Burt was āgenuinely uniqueā and āwas more than just a crocodile,ā embodying a remarkable āforce of nature.ā
Ultimately, it was his remarkable strength and vibrant personality that attracted thousands of tourists over the years and endeared him to those who looked after him.
According to the zoo personnel, Burtās demise marks āthe conclusion of an extraordinary era,ā and they plan to erect a memorial plaque at the facility in his memory.
The announcement continued: āAs we grieve his loss, we are reminded of the crucial role wildlife plays in our collective history and the necessity of safeguarding it for future generations.ā
Since then, numerous followers have taken to social media to share their fond memories of Burt.
One individual remarked: āRIP Burt, it was a pleasure to feed you back at the Darwin Crocodile Farm in the past, and you certainly frightened me on days when you were in a foul mood, especially when I attempted to scrub the moss off you.ā
Another person added: āI had the incredible opportunity to feed Burt during my VIP tour when I visited in October 2022.ā
āHe was truly an extraordinarily beautiful and powerful creature, and feeding him was one of the highlights of my time in Darwin.ā
In a media statement on Monday, Australian Parks and Wildlife Minister Marie-Clare Boothby also described Burt as a ātrue icon of the Territory.ā
