There are influencers willing to do anything to get a few million more views, but this time the gimmick risks costing dear. The American Mike Holston, better known as The Real Tarzannhe decided to test himself in Queensland, where he faced a freshwater crocodile as if he were an action movie character.
The video, shot near Lockhart River and immortalized by a cameraman, shows Holston who descends from a boat, slips into the water to the knees and runs to meet the reptile. The animal, surprised, tries to escape, but the influencer reaches him, jumps on his back and drags him to the shore.
Mike Holston, Known Online As The Real Tarzan, is in Hot Water After Posting In Video Wrestling Croc. #9News
Posted by 9 News on Saturday, September 6, 2025
A chilling “show”
During the clash Holston wounds himself on his arm, but does not lose his smile. Laughing, shows the blood that flows and comments: “He grabbed me, but I grabbed him!”. Immediately afterwards he adds:”He took a nice piece of my arm, look there what a beast“.
And it’s not over: while the animal is wagbal, Holston declares enthusiastic: “It’s fantasticis the dream of a lifetime. Since I was a child I wanted to come to Australia, see the crocodiles closely and keep them in my hands“
Criticisms on social media and the start of an investigation
The Croc association also intervened on the fact, defending crocodiles in Australia and which defined the actions carried out by the illegal and dangerous influencer, remembering that the Nature Conservation Act prohibits handling these animals without official permits. The sanction can reach $ 18,000 Australian dollars.
Wildlife Regulars Across Australia Need to Step Up. These are not “Gray Areas” of the Law—They’re Black and White. Handling, Feeding or interfering with wildlife with a pemit is an offence, and pentits are hard to obtain for good reason. You can read it under 88 of the Nature Conservation Act. The Line “We are investigating Is Wearing Thin. Since Our Campaign Began in 2023, not a single penalty has been issued in Queensland—Des Repeated Breaches, from Wildlife Killings to Illegal Crocodile Feeding.we’ll Be Watching Clousel to See How the NT Government Responds, AS This offenance Appears, and Others on His Channel, to Fall in Their Jurisdiction Along With QLD. #Therealtarzan#WildlifeOffeffences#Notconservation#Notaducation#Freshwatercrocodile#SALTWARCROCODILE
Posted by Croc – Community Representation of Crocodiles on Monday, September 8, 2025
In addition, the Department of the Queensland environment has opened an investigation, underlining that disturbing crocodiles is not only a violation of the law, but also an extreme risk for those who try. The problem, however, is wider: now the animals have become “scenic tools” to generate clicks and earnings. And as long as the social networks reward this type of “show”, there will always be someone willing to transform nature into stage, without thinking about the consequences.
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