Australian authorities said Thursday that they were investigating videos posted online by a U.S. influencer that show him capturing and restraining wild crocodiles in the state of Queensland.
In the first video, Holston enters shallow water from a boat and runs toward what he says is a freshwater crocodile before jumping on it and wrestling with it.
Blood is visible on his left arm as he grabs the neck of the crocodile, which can be heard calling out.
In the second video, Holston is seen in marshland chasing after what he says is a juvenile saltwater crocodile.
The maximum penalty for interfering with a crocodile is a fine of about 37,500 Australian dollars ($25,000).
On Thursday, Australian authorities announced that they were looking into videos that a U.S. S. influencer that features him catching and holding wild crocodiles in Queensland.
“We are actively investigating strong compliance action, including fines, to deter any person from this type of behavior, as these actions are extremely dangerous and illegal,” the Queensland Environment Department said in a statement.
In recent days, Mike Holston, popularly known as The Real Tarzann, shared two videos to his 15 million Instagram followers, one of which shows him seemingly defeating a crocodile in a wrestling match.
In the first video, Holston runs toward what he claims is a freshwater crocodile after entering shallow water from a boat. He then jumps on it and engages in combat with it. He is holding the crocodile’s neck while it is calling out, and blood is visible on his left arm.
In the video, Holston holds the reptile and declares, “This is what dreams are made of.” He acknowledges that he has wanted to visit Australia since he was a young boy in order to get a close-up look at crocodiles.
since September, when it was posted. 5. The video has received over a million likes and over 33 million views.
In the second video, Holston can be seen chasing after what he claims is a young saltwater crocodile in marshland. Citing crocodile experts, Queensland officials stated that his easy grasp of the reptile was “completely uncharacteristic.”.
According to them, “under normal circumstances, such an animal would writhe and thrash about wildly, seeking to escape.”.
The videos appear to have been shot at Lockhart River on the Cape York Peninsula and show both animals being released.
On Thursday, a request for comment from Holston was not immediately answered.
He stated that he did not encourage anyone to attempt to replicate his actions in a comment on the saltwater crocodile video, adding that the animal was “released after a few close looks and photos were taken.”. “”.
That explanation isn’t universally accepted, though.
The father of Australia’s well-known “Crocodile Hunter,” the late conservationist Bob Irwin, advocated for harsher punishments for social media posts like Holston’s, claiming that they “can have disastrous consequences for both people and wildlife.”. “”.
In an announcement that was reported by Australian media, Irwin stated, “Visitors to our country must show respect for our wildlife, or they will be ejected.”.
Male saltwater crocodiles can weigh up to 660 pounds, while male freshwater crocodiles can weigh up to 132 pounds. Both species can grow to a length of roughly six to thirteen feet, according to the Queensland Environment Department.
The maximum fine for tampering with a crocodile is approximately $25,000, or 37,500 Australian dollars.
