Legendary outback adventurer Malcolm Douglas has died in a car accident on his property in Broome, Western Australia. He was 69.
Douglas’ popular outback adventures, portrayed in his documentaries and television shows, made him an overnight success. His first wildlife show, Across The Top, was screened in 1976.
As well as a lover of the bush Douglas was a very keen fisherman and often amazed TV viewers by catching northern sportfish such as queenfish on bits of tin he’d fashioned into lures. He also featured often in Fishing World magazine, gracing the cover each time.
Douglas’s Crocodile Park opened in 1983 and has been a successful destination for tourists from all over the world ever since. He was credited as being the original “Crocodile Hunter”.
An environmental advocate, Douglas had vocally opposed a proposed gas plant to be be built at James Price Point in a remote region of the the Kimberley in Western Australia. He had actively supported this issue with the ongoing Save The Kimberley campaign.
Malcolm Douglas is survived by his wife Valerie and two adult children, Amanda and Lachlan.
Fishing World will publish a tribute to Malcolm Douglas in the December issue.
Malcolm Douglas speaking in Sydney for the Save The Kimberley campaign.