Burt the Crocodile, who starred alongside Paul Hogan in the 1986 Australian comedy Crocodile Dundee, has died aged 90.
The news was confirmed by Crocosaurus Cove, the aquarium and exhibition in Darwin, Australia where Burt has been living since 2008 – becoming an “ambassador” of crocodile education.
“Burt passed away peacefully over the weekend, estimated to be over 90 years old, marking the end of an incredible era,” Crocosaurus Cove wrote on social media.
“Burt’s life story is one of strength, resilience, and a personality as bold as the Top End itself. 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.”
It later read: “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.”
In Crocodile Dundee, the character Mick Dundee, played by Hogan, leaves the Australian outback and moves to New York City when he meets reporter Sue Charlton, played by Linda Kozlowski. Burt is featured in a scene where Kozlowski’s character is attacked while kneeling in a creek, and is rescued by Hogan’s character.
Watch the scene below.
According to Crocosaurus Cove’s website, Burt was around 5.1m (16ft 8in) in length and 700kg (110st) in weight.
In addition to his appearance in Crocodile Dundee, he was also used as the model for visual effects for the 2007 killer-croc film Rogue.
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