An American social media influencer has been accused of illegally handling wildlife in Queensland after footage showing him wrestling a freshwater crocodile prompted calls from animal welfare groups for him to be deported and banned from Australia.
Mike Holston, who posts as The Real Tarzann, shared videos to Instagram earlier this month reportedly filmed at the Lockhart River in Cape York, about 520 kilometres north of Cairns. PETA Australia said Tuesday it had urged authorities to pursue the matter “to the end” and to consider removing Holston from the country and barring future entry.
Queensland’s Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) said the content was being "actively investigated" and described such actions as "extremely dangerous and illegal." A DETSI spokesperson told ABC News the department was "actively exploring strong compliance action including fines to deter any person from this type of behaviour." Under Queensland law, deliberately feeding, disturbing or handling crocodiles without authorisation can attract fines of up to A$26,615.
In the footage, Holston is seen stepping from a boat into shallow water and approaching a sunbathing crocodile. According to the clip, the reptile was spooked and swam away; Holston then ran after it, leapt onto its back and pulled it from the water. He can be heard saying the crocodile "got a hold of me" and, in a separate video, admitting the animal "got a good piece of my arm," showing a bleeding wound just above his elbow. One of the posts has attracted more than 32 million views over several days.
PETA Australia called Holston’s behaviour "cruel" and "stupid," saying the influencer routinely uses animals as props and provokes wildlife in reckless stunts. "Just like wombats, koalas and other native Australian wildlife, crocodiles are sensitive individuals who experience pain and stress," the organisation said, urging authorities to apply the full extent of the law.
Cairns-based Community Representation of Crocodiles (CROC), an animal welfare group, also condemned the videos and said the conduct was both distressing for the animal and illegal under the Nature Conservation Act. CROC said members had reported the footage to the Queensland government and warned that viral social media posts that show unauthorised handling of wildlife set a dangerous precedent.
The case has renewed scrutiny of how immigration and conservation laws are applied to foreign nationals who publish wildlife encounters online. Earlier this year, an American hunter, Samantha Jo Strable, faced backlash after footage emerged showing her handling a baby wombat; the Immigration Minister opened an investigation into whether her visa had been breached and the video prompted widespread calls for deportation. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described that incident as an "outrage" at the time. The hunter subsequently left Australia before her visa was cancelled.
Holston has described himself in posts as a former professional American football player who has long wanted to see and handle crocodiles up close. Media organisations have reported he visits Australia regularly and posts wildlife encounters. Community and government concerns centre on public safety, animal welfare and the potential encouragement of copycat behaviour when such content is monetised.
The Daily Mail reported it had contacted Holston, DETSI and the Department of Home Affairs for comment. The investigation by Queensland authorities remains ongoing, and any decision on fines or immigration action will depend on the outcome of that probe and relevant legal processes.