An American influencer known for his wild animal encounters is under fire after posting a jaw-dropping video of himself wrestling a freshwater crocodile in Queensland, Australia — a stunt now under official investigation.
Mike Holston, who goes by “The Real Tarzann” to his 23 million followers, shared the shocking clip on Instagram, reportedly filmed near the remote Lockhart River in Cape York, over 500km north of Cairns.
In the video, Holston steps off a boat into ankle-deep water and slowly approaches a crocodile basking in the shallows. But instead of keeping his distance, he charges forward, leaps onto the reptile’s back, and drags it out of the water.
“He got a hold of me but I got a hold of him,” Holston says triumphantly in the clip — moments before revealing a bloody bite wound just above his elbow. “Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to come to Australia and catch crocodiles with my hands. This is what dreams are made of.”
The stunt immediately sparked fury from wildlife advocates, environmental groups, and everyday Australians, many of whom accused Holston of animal abuse.
Cairns-based animal welfare organization Community Representation of Crocodiles (CROC) blasted the influencer’s actions, calling them “distressing for the animal” and “completely illegal.”
“We’ve had many people reach out about this video,” CROC said in a statement. “It’s been reported to the Queensland Government multiple times. This behavior is cruel, harmful, and illegal under the Nature Conservation Act. Promoting it to millions online sets a dangerous precedent.”
Queensland’s Department of Environment confirmed on Friday that an investigation is underway. Under local law, disturbing, feeding, or handling crocodiles without proper authorization can result in fines of up to $26,615.
“It is a significant offence to interfere with freshwater crocodiles in Queensland — and it’s extremely dangerous,” a department spokesperson warned.
The incident has divided Holston’s massive following. While many accused him of harassing and traumatizing the animal, others praised his “fearlessness” for tackling an apex predator.
“That poor croc was terrified — deport him!” one furious commenter wrote. Another added, “Don’t come into our country and manhandle our protected wildlife for Instagram clout.”
But some of Holston’s fans were thrilled, flooding his comments with fire emojis and messages like, “Legend!” and “This is insane — only Tarzann could pull this off.”
This isn’t the first time an American influencer has clashed with Australia’s strict wildlife laws. Earlier this year, outdoor influencer Samantha Jo Strable faced similar backlash after filming herself snatching a baby wombat from its mother for a video.
The incident sparked nationwide outrage and prompted Australia’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, to weigh in: “To take a baby wombat from its mother, causing clear distress, is just an outrage.”
Strable eventually fled Australia after receiving thousands of death threats, narrowly avoiding deportation when her visa came under review.
Holston, who has built a massive online brand by getting up close with dangerous wildlife — including saltwater crocodiles, giant snakes, and birds of prey — has yet to respond to mounting criticism or confirm whether he is cooperating with authorities.
If found guilty, the influencer could face hefty fines and potential restrictions on returning to Australia in the future.
Meanwhile, animal rights groups are demanding stricter penalties for influencers who disturb protected wildlife for views and sponsorship dollars.
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Typical 13%er; big mouth & small brain.
RACIST PIG!!