September 10, 2025

A wildlife influencer from the US, calling himself “The Real Tarzann,” is in hot water after posting a jaw-dropping video where he wrestled a freshwater crocodile in Australia. Mike Holston, who boasts over 23 million followers, shared the daring clip on September 4. It didn’t take long for people to pour in their anger and disappointment. The footage was shot near Lockhart River in Queensland’s wild Cape York area. In the video, Holston steps off a boat into shallow water, then charges at the crocodile like it’s a playful game. The croc tries to swim away, but Mike chases it, jumps on its back, and drags it to the shore – all while laughing and showing off. Even more shocking, viewers can see blood dripping from a bite on his arm. Mike jokes, “He got ahold of me, but I got ahold of him!” as the crocodile groans in the background. With a big smile, he says, “This is sick. This is what dreams are made of. Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to come to Australia and just look at crocodiles, catch them between my hands, and see them up close.” But not everyone felt thrilled. The video quickly gathered over 800,000 views and a flood of harsh criticism. Many were shocked and angry that someone would disturb a wild animal just for a flashy video. One viewer wrote, “Why do that to them, though? I don’t get it. Leave them alone. It’s kind of sad you’re coming up into their safe space, it’s not right.” Another said, “Bro, the poor guy was just there, resting and not hurting anyone. I don’t understand why you’d bother him and invade his space just for a simple video.” Animal groups jumped into the argument too. Community Representation of Crocodiles (CROC), an animal welfare group in Queensland, called out the stunt as harmful and illegal. “This behavior is distressing for the animal and illegal under the Nature Conservation Act,” their statement said, as reported by NY Post. “When it’s promoted on big social media platforms without permits or proper authority, it sets a dangerous example. The fines are minimal compared to how much money influencers make from this kind of content.” So, what happens when social media fame meets wild nature? Clearly, this episode shows how wildlife and humans need respect and caution, not reckless stunts. Mike Holston’s crocodile wrestling act may have thrilled his fans, but it also crossed a serious line that many Australians and animal lovers won’t forgive anytime soon.

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Tags: Wildlife influencer, Crocodile wrestling, Australia, Animal cruelty, Social media backlash, Nature conservation act,