What happened to Graham Dingo Dinkelman and how did the snake handler and YouTuber die?

GRAHAM “Dingo” Dinkelman was a renowned South African wildlife conservationist, snake handler and broadcaster.

The popular YouTuber tragically passed away on October 28, 2024, following a month-long battle in hospital.

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Despite being allergic to their venom, Dingo dedicated his life to protecting snakes[/caption]

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His wife Kirsty supported Dingo’s conservation efforts[/caption]

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The couple welcomed three children together[/caption]

His death was the result of complications from a venomous snake bite he sustained while working with reptiles, a field he was deeply passionate about.

Dubbed the ‘South African Steve Irwin’, Dingo had amassed more than 100,000 YouTube subscribers and over 600,000 Instagram followers at the time of his passing.

Early life and career

Graham Dinkelman was born on June 15, 1980, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

From a young age he displayed a keen interest in wildlife, particularly reptiles.

He attended Maritzburg College, where his passion for conservation began to take shape.

After completing his education, Dingo initially worked for the Natal Parks Board, which allowed him to immerse himself in wildlife conservation.

During this time he began rescuing and rehabilitating animals in his own home, gaining hands-on experience with numerous species.

His dedication to wildlife preservation led him to quit his job and fully devote his time and energy to the animals he loved.

In 2021, he established Dingo’s Farm and Reptile Park at Piggly Wiggly in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, which provides hands-on educational experiences for adults and kids alike.

Marriage

Dingo was married to Kirsty, his partner both in life and his conservation efforts.

She has been actively involved in his work, often appearing alongside him in videos and supporting his environmental protection initiatives.

They have three children together: Taylor, Maddy and Rex.

Snake bite

Approximately four weeks before his heartbreaking passing, Dingo was bitten by a green mamba, one of Africa’s most venomous snakes.

The tragic incident occurred while he was engaged in his conservation work, triggering a severe anaphylactic shock due to his allergy to snake venom.

Kirsty posted on Facebook: “Hi everyone. It’s Kirst here. (Dingo’s wife) I just wanted to give you guys an update on our current situation.

“This last week, Dingo had a venomous snake bite which, unfortunately, due to his allergy to snake venom, sent him straight into anaphylactic shock.”

Medical battle

Following the snake bite, Fingo was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.

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Dingo was bitten by one of Africa’s most venomous snakes, the green mamba[/caption]

His medical team placed him on a ventilator and induced a coma to give his body the best chance at recovery.

For a month, he fought valiantly against the effects of the venom and the resulting complications.

Tragic outcome

Despite the best efforts of medical professionals, Dingo ultimately succumbed to the effects of the snake venom.

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He tragically passed away following a month-long battle in the hospital[/caption]

Kirsty announced his passing in a heartfelt message shared on social media.

She wrote: “Dingo fought incredibly hard throughout this very difficult period.

“We know that he was fighting to be here with us and we are so grateful for this.

“Sadly, despite his strength and resilience, my beloved husband passed away peacefully today, surrounded by his family.”

In her tribute to her husband, she thanked well-wishers for their support.

Kirsty said: “Today is one month since the incident, and we have experienced such comfort and love from your messages and prayers from all over the world.”