The iconic crocodile who starred in the hit film Crocodile Dundee has died in Australia, the zoo where he lived has announced.
Burt, who was thought to be over 90 years old, rose to fame when the movie premiered 38 years ago, becoming one of the most recognised saltwater crocodiles in the world.
He appeared alongside Paul Hogan and Linda Kozlowski in the 1986 movie and died in Darwin over the weekend.
Staff at Crocosaurus Cove, the reptile attraction where Burt had lived since 2008, said his death marked the “end of an incredible era”.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Burt, the iconic Saltwater crocodile and star of the Australian classic Crocodile Dundee,” Crocosauraus Cove said in a statement on Instagram.
The zoo described Burt as “truly one of a kind”, adding: “He wasn’t just a crocodile; he was a force of nature and a reminder of the power and majesty of these incredible creatures.”
The statement continued: “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.”
The average saltwater crocodile typically lives for about 70 years but some may live for up to 100 years.
In the film Crocodile Dundee, American reporter Sue Charlton, played by Kozlowski, travels to the Australian outback to meet eccentric poacher Mick “Crocodile” Dundee, played by Hogan and invites him to New York City, where he comes face-to-face with the complexities of modern life.
Crocosauras Cove revealed that Burt was captured in the country’s Northern Territory in the Reynolds River in the 80s before he went on to star in the film, which remains Australia’s highest-grossing movie of all time (47,707,598 Australian dollars).
A commemorative sign will be installed at the zoo in memory of Burt.
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