An American influencer traveled to Australia to film himself with crocodiles, and Australians did not approve
A new chapter is being written in the history of misbehaving Americans in Australia (remember the one who captured wombats?). This time, Australian officials, wildlife experts, and others are criticizing American influencer Mike Holston, also known as “Real Tarzann” on social media, for posting two videos with crocodiles where he also flaunts his muscles.
Queensland officials have confirmed that they are “actively investigating two videos circulating on social media,” as reported by ABC News. Bob Irwin, the late Steve Irwin’s father, famous Crocodile Hunter of Australia, has also criticized him.
“When you compare the behavior of guys like Mike Holston with what Steve used to do, or when people say that he is influential, it really bothers me,” Irwin said. “You can’t mention them together because everything Steve did was with respect for wildlife.”
Steve Irwin was an Australian conservationist and TV personality who developed successful crocodile capture and handling techniques. He tragically passed away after an unfortunate incident with a stingray.
### What happened with the crocodiles?
In the most recent of the two crocodile videos, Holston is seen chasing a young saltwater crocodile onto a grassy area by the shore. He then lifts the reptile in front of the camera and aggressively squeezes its neck, resting the rest of the animal’s body on his leg.
Saltwater crocodiles or estuarine crocodiles are the largest crocodilian species, considered extremely dangerous. But the one Holston is holding is small and doesn’t move in the video. Experts have expressed concern for the poor crocodile, and Irwin said it could be stressed. Holston releases the crocodile at the end of the video and defends himself against the criticism.
In the second video, the influencer is seen chasing a freshwater crocodile in shallow waters. He jumps on the animal, and they both struggle while the camera focuses on them, showing a bleeding wound on Holston’s arm. “He got me,” Holston seems to say. “But I got him too!” Unlike the saltwater crocodile, this one appears to make sounds of discomfort before escaping from Holston’s hands. Both posts are geotagged at Lockhart River in Queensland.
Gizmodo reached out to Holston for comment.
### Australia urges people to stop interfering with wildlife
A spokesperson for the Queensland Department of Environment said that “interfering with Queensland’s freshwater crocodiles constitutes a serious offense, as well as being extremely dangerous.” Last year, Queensland enacted new laws in an effort to prevent dangerous interactions with crocodiles. Bob Irwin and others have called them “laws for fools.” “And that’s because that’s exactly what I think of content creators like Real Tarzann: fools,” he explained.
