Daughter of Dingo Dinkelman, dubbed 'South Africa's Steve Irwin,' pens heartbreaking message to late dad

The teenage daughter of nature conservationist Graham "Dingo" Dinkelman mourned the death of her father in a touching tribute.

Known as "South Africa's Steve Irwin," the conservationist and content creator died Oct. 26 at age 44 after a month in the hospital.

His wife, Kirsty Dinkelman, shared on Instagram that her husband was in an induced coma in the ICU after suffering a snake bite.

Taylor Dinkelman, 14, posted the emotional statement on Instagram Oct. 31 alongside a series of photos with her dad and family photos featuring her mom and her siblings Maddy, 12, and Rex, 9.

In the caption, she penned a lengthy message addressed to her late father, writing, "It is still a shock and I never thought I would be doing a post like this."

"Dad you were my hero and I couldn't have asked for a better dad," she continued. "Your kindness and laughter and passion some of the many things that made you so special. You brightened up any room you walked into and put smiles on everyone's faces no matter what you did or said."

Taylor said that her dad "made everything feel easier," recalling how each morning she knew that he "would be there singing a song" with her younger brother.

"So to not hear that when I come downstairs is like a punch to the gut," she wrote. "You are everywhere I look no matter where I am. I know that you are in the heaven now with your dad and one day I will join you there and hear the words someone has been waiting for you and I will see you."

Taylor's tribute continued as she emphasized how much she loved her father, expressing that she didn't "know how to say it."

"You are the greatest dad ever and I will try to raise my kids how you have raised me, I will tell your stories and adventures forever," she added. "I will tell your legacy and dreams,passions and love with the world for you."

Kirsty Dinkelman initially shared news of her husband's health on Instagram Sept. 30.

In the statement posted to her husband's account, she said that he "had a venomous snake bite" the week prior and due to an allergy to snake venom, he went into anaphylactic shock. He was rushed to the hospital and was on a ventilator in the ICU in an induced coma.

Less than two weeks later, she posted an update about his health Oct. 9 on social media . At the time, she shared that he remained in the ICU but continued "to fight with all his strength."

After his death, she penned a lengthy statement across several posts on Instagram, remembering him for his work with animals and his love of being a father.