Crocodile Dundee star reptile dies, age 90
One of the stars of iconic 80s movie Crocodile Dundee has died at the age of 90 in a reptile park.
Burt, a five-metre-long saltwater crocodile, died on Monday in the Northern Territory.
The announcement was made by the Crocosaurus Cove reptile park.
The hulking creature was first made famous in the cult classic movie, staring alongside Paul Hogan and Linda Kozlowski in 1986.
“Known for his independent nature, Burt was a confirmed bachelor — an attitude he made clear during his earlier years at a crocodile farm,” his keepers wrote in a Facebook post.
“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.”
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Burt was captured in the 1980s in the Reynolds River.
After his role in Crocodile Dundee, he became one of the most recognised crocs in the world and helped shape Australia’s image as a land of awe-inspiring wildlife.
Burt lived his retirement years at Crocosaurus Cove in Darwin. Photo: Facebook
Decades later in 2008 he made his way to Crocosaurus Cove, where he became a fierce and fascinating ambassador for crocodile education, said his keepers.
“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.
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“Visitors from around the globe marvelled at his impressive size and commanding presence, especially at feeding time.”
Pet crocs
Meanwhile, the Northern Territory government has announced crocs can be household pets again.
People in the Northern Territory will be allowed to keep crocodiles as pets in 2025 after the government reversed Labor’s prohibition on ownership permits.
Just days before Christmas, NT Parks and Wildlife Minister Marie-Clare Boothby said the semiaquatic reptiles were a “key aspect of the Territory lifestyle”.
The government has committed to new standards for enclosures, tagging and animal welfare which will be proposed under legislation to be introduced in 2025.
“Crocodiles are synonymous with the Territory — that’s what makes our lifestyle so unique — and responsible owners have a right to own one with a permit,” Boothby said.
“We are taking action to reverse this decision because opportunities like these are central to our Territory way of life.”
Since crocodiles were protected by law in the 1970s, experts say the population has grown to more than 100,000 in the Top End.
The proposed changes are expected to come into effect early in 2025.
Tommy Hayes, a passionate crocodile enthusiast, welcomed the NT government’s announcement.
“Being able to own a crocodile responsibly is a dream for many people like me,” he said.
Hayes said he was “heartbroken” when the former Labor government announced their revised crocodile management plan.
