Burt, the gigantic saltwater crocodile who was on the receiving end of Mick “Crocodile” Dundee’s famous knife in the hit Eighties film Crocodile Dundee, has died. He was believed to have been about 90 years old.
Crocosaurus Cove, the aquarium in Darwin City, Australia, where Burt has lived since 2008, confirmed the animal’s death on Facebook. “Burt passed away peacefully over the weekend, estimated to be over 90 years old, marking the end of an incredible era,” the statement read.
“Burt’s life story is one of strength, resilience, and a personality as bold as the Top End itself,” the statement continued, referring to the northern coast of Australia, where Darwin is located. “Captured in the 1980s in the Reynolds River, Burt became one of the most recognized 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.”
Burt’s star-making turn comes at a pivotal moment in Crocodile Dundee when the titular hero (played by Paul Hogan) saves American journalist Sue Charlton (Linda Kozlowski) from a croc attack as she fills her water canteen. In return, Sue invites Dundee back to America, where the two fall in love amidst a classic fish-out-of-water tale.
According to his bio on the Crocosaurus Cove website, Burt provided “the basis for the digital crocodile” in the 2007 movie Rogue. Burt also “starred in a host of other documentaries and awareness programs” throughout his life.
The aquarium described Burt in their tribute as “a fierce and fascinating ambassador for crocodile education.” He was reportedly an independent animal and a “confirmed bachelor,” while 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.”
Crocosaurus Cove plans to honor Burt’s legacy with a “commemorative sign” to celebrate his “extraordinary life and the stories and interactions he shared throughout his time at the park.”
From Rolling Stone US
