Australian authorities are in the midst of a heated investigation after American influencer Mike Holston, known online as "The Real Tarzann," posted a series of videos showing himself capturing and wrestling wild crocodiles in Queensland. The incident, which has sparked national outrage and reignited debates over wildlife protection in the digital age, has drawn condemnation from conservationists, legal experts, and government officials alike.
Holston, who boasts over 15 million followers on Instagram, posted two videos on September 5, 2025, that quickly went viral—garnering more than a million likes and over 33 million views. In the first clip, Holston is seen leaping from a boat into shallow water at Lockhart River on the Cape York Peninsula. He then charges toward what he identifies as a freshwater crocodile, wrestling the animal and emerging with blood visible on his left arm. "This is what dreams are made of," Holston exclaims in the video, admitting his lifelong desire to see Australian crocodiles up close. In another video, he chases and easily grabs a juvenile saltwater crocodile in the marshland, a feat Queensland officials said was "completely uncharacteristic" for the typically thrashing and elusive reptiles.
The Queensland environment department responded swiftly, issuing a statement on September 11, 2025, that condemned Holston’s actions as "extremely dangerous and illegal." The department emphasized, "These actions are extremely dangerous and illegal, and we are actively exploring strong compliance action including fines to deter any person from this type of behavior." They further warned, "Let us be clear: people should not attempt to capture freshwater or saltwater crocodiles in Queensland, unless they are trained and licensed to do so." The maximum penalty for interfering with a crocodile in Queensland is 37,500 Australian dollars (approximately $25,000 USD), with an on-the-spot fine of 8,345 Australian dollars also possible.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli minced no words, publicly labeling Holston a "goose" and reinforcing the seriousness with which the state treats wildlife interference. The state’s crocodile population, estimated at between 20,000 and 30,000, is highly protected, given the animals’ vulnerable status and history of attacks on humans. Between December 1985 and April 2024, Queensland recorded 34 non-fatal and 14 fatal attacks by wild saltwater crocodiles, underscoring the risks of such reckless stunts.
Holston, for his part, has defended his videos as being for "educational purposes," and in the comments section of his posts, he stated he did not encourage viewers to replicate his behavior. He also claimed that both crocodiles were released after "a few close looks and photos were taken." However, he has not responded to media requests for further comment.
The backlash has not been limited to government officials. Bob Irwin, the father of the late Steve Irwin—Australia’s legendary "Crocodile Hunter"—issued a rare and strongly worded statement. "People visiting our country need to respect our wildlife, or they need to be booted out the door," Irwin said, warning that such social media posts "can have disastrous consequences for both people and wildlife." Irwin, who has long advocated for stricter wildlife protection, called for authorities to enforce what he and colleagues colloquially refer to as "dickhead legislation," a set of laws enacted in Queensland in September 2024 to crack down on dangerous crocodile interactions. "Because anyone who harms wildlife for fun, is," Irwin remarked, making clear his disdain for such behavior. He also criticized regulators for a lack of prosecutions since the law’s introduction, saying, "The repeated line from our regulators [of] ‘we are investigating’ in response to these incidents is wearing thin."
Wildlife advocates and environmental legal experts echoed Irwin’s sentiments, pointing to a "runaway train" of online content that glorifies illegal and harmful interactions with native animals. Amanda French, a crocodile advocate and co-author with Irwin of The Last Crocodile Hunter, lamented the "Steve Irwin factor gone wrong," noting that Steve Irwin always had the proper permits and oversight—something Holston lacked. French argued, "That is not education. It is glorifying illegal, harmful activity to our wildlife." She further warned that on-the-spot fines, though increased, might not deter influencers who stand to profit handsomely from viral content.
Legal advocates like Kirstiana Ward from the Environmental Defenders Office in Cairns have been pushing for stronger "post and boast" laws to address the growing trend of influencers seeking fame and fortune by flouting wildlife protection laws. Ward described Holston’s videos as "absolutely abhorrent," emphasizing that the crocodiles—smaller than Holston himself—were "terrified." She noted a disturbing pattern of similar incidents involving influencers from North America and elsewhere, including a Canadian who filmed himself wrangling a freshwater crocodile and an American woman who sparked outrage in March 2025 after filming herself taking a baby wombat from its mother.
Animal rights organizations have also weighed in, with PETA Australia’s senior campaigns adviser, Mimi Bekhechi, calling the videos "incredibly cruel" and urging authorities to "follow the investigation through to the end, and for Mike Holston to be punished to the full extent of the law, including being deported and banned from entering Australia again."
Queensland’s crocodiles, both saltwater and freshwater species, are among the largest and most dangerous reptiles on earth. Saltwater crocodiles can reach lengths of 13 feet and weigh up to 660 pounds, while their freshwater cousins, though generally smaller and less aggressive, still pose a significant risk. Handling either species in the wild is strictly illegal without proper authorization, not just to protect the animals but also to safeguard people from potentially deadly encounters.
Holston is not the first American influencer to run afoul of Australian wildlife laws. In March 2025, another U.S. content creator left the country after being widely criticized—including by the Australian prime minister—for filming herself snatching a baby wombat from its distressed mother. The cumulative effect of such incidents has led to growing calls for legislative reform and stricter enforcement to protect Australia’s unique and vulnerable wildlife from the pressures of social media stardom.
The controversy surrounding Holston’s videos is more than just a flashpoint in the ongoing battle between conservation and online celebrity. It has become a rallying cry for those who believe Australia’s wildlife deserves better protection—and that the law must keep pace with the ever-evolving world of digital influence. As the Queensland investigation continues, the world is watching to see whether Australia will "throw the book" at Holston and send a message to would-be wildlife wranglers everywhere: respect the animals, or face the consequences.
