Mike Holston, an American social media personality known as "Real Tarzan," is facing growing criticism and calls for deportation after posting videos that show him wrestling freshwater and saltwater crocodiles in Queensland, Australia.
The footage, uploaded over several days and tagged to Lockhart River on the Cape York Peninsula, shows the 31-year-old chasing and handling crocodiles in shallow water and on riverbanks. In one clip Holston leaps from a boat and pursues a freshwater crocodile through ankle-deep water before diving on it. In another he grapples with a young saltwater crocodile; in that video he acknowledges the animal "got a good piece of my arm" as blood is seen on his elbow. Both crocodiles were later released.
The posts have prompted condemnation from animal welfare groups, politicians and some members of the public. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Australia called the behaviour "incredibly cruel" and "unfathomably stupid," and urged that Holston be deported and banned from returning to Australia. Bob Irwin, a conservationist and the father of the late "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, said visitors to Australia must respect wildlife or face removal.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli described the influencer as a "goose" and warned that those who make a business from such stunts would likely end up badly hurt. Crisafulli said the State Environment Department would investigate the matter while noting that any immigration consequences would be handled by the federal government.
A spokesperson for Queensland's Department of Environment confirmed an investigation is underway. Under the Nature Conservation Act, deliberately feeding, disturbing or handling crocodiles without authorisation can attract fines up to A$26,615 (about US$17,000). Cairns-based animal welfare group Community Representation of Crocodiles (CROC) said the clips had been reported to the Queensland government multiple times and described the behaviour as distressing for the animals and illegal.
Holston, who has more than 15 million followers on Instagram, has built a brand on close encounters with large and potentially dangerous wildlife, including alligators, giant snakes and birds of prey. In the caption and audio of one video he tells viewers that since childhood he wanted to come to Australia "to just look at crocodiles, catch them with my hands and see them up close. This is what dreams are made of." In another clip he says, "He got a hold of me but I got a hold of him."
Reactions among Holston's followers have been mixed. Some praised his willingness to confront an apex predator, while many Australians and wildlife advocates said the stunts endangered both the man and the animals and set a problematic example when broadcast to large audiences. CROC and other groups expressed concern that penalties are small compared with the financial rewards influencers may obtain from such content.
Federal immigration authorities have not publicly confirmed any visa review tied to the videos. The controversy, however, has led to public calls for officials to examine Holston's right to remain in or re-enter the country. Queensland law enforcement and wildlife officers warned that interfering with protected species is a serious offence and that handling wild crocodiles without permits endangers public safety and animal welfare.
Holston's social media channels regularly feature risky encounters with wildlife, and Australian media outlets sought comment from him. Daily Mail reported contacting Holston for a response. State authorities said the investigation outcome would determine whether penalties or other enforcement actions are appropriate.