October 29, 2024 – Beloved South African conservationist and YouTuber Graham ‘Dingo’ Dinkelman, 44, passed away this week, one month after a venomous green mamba snake bite left him in an induced coma. The YouTuber, known for his deep commitment to wildlife conservation and his adventurous spirit, was bitten in September at his home, resulting in anaphylactic shock due to a rare allergy to snake venom, according to a statement by his wife, Kirsty Dinkelman.
“Dingo was more than just a YouTuber—he was a fearless advocate for wildlife and the environment, whose boundless energy and humor left a lasting impression on everyone he met,” Kirsty shared in her statement. “He had a heart not only for snakes and reptiles but for all creatures, especially Africa’s majestic mammals—elephants, rhinos, and lions—and our own giraffe, Elliot.”
Raised with a love for the wild instilled by his late father, a former employee of the Natal Parks Board, Dinkelman grew up exploring nature reserves and rehabilitating injured animals. His unique upbringing forged his lifelong dedication to animal conservation and led him to create the “Dingo Dinkelman” YouTube channel, which has since amassed more than 400,000 subscribers and averages over three million monthly views.
Despite his daring work with dangerous reptiles, Dinkelman was known for his gentle heart and fierce loyalty to his family. “Family was always at the core of Dingo’s life,” Kirsty said. “Our children—Taylor, 14, Maddy, 12, and Rex, 9—meant the world to him. He never missed an opportunity to express his pride and love for them.”
