Australian influencer who calls himself the 'real Tarzan' criticized for taunting and wrestling a crocodile 'just for clicks'

American content creator Mike Holston, known on social media as the "real Tarzan," sparked outrage in Australia after posting a video of himself wrestling a freshwater crocodile in Queensland.

The incident, published on Thursday, September 4, led to complaints from environmental organizations accusing the influencer of animal abuse and violating the local Wildlife Conservation Law.

In images posted on social media, Holston approaches an alligator in shallow water after spotting it from a boat.

After provoking it, the animal became agitated and ended up struggling with the influencer, who was injured in the arm.

Despite his injuries, the American celebrated the experience, calling it the fulfillment of a personal dream, which fueled the outrage of internet users.

"It grabbed me, but I held it off!" he said. "It took a good chunk out of my arm, man! That's what dreams are made of. Ever since I was a kid, I've always wanted to come to Australia and just see crocodiles, hold them, and see them up close," he noted in the clip posted on his Instagram account.

The NGO Community Representation of Crocodiles (CROC) led the criticism of Holston. In a statement, the organization said the action was "distressing to the animal and is illegal under the Nature Conservation Act."

CROC warned that this type of behavior not only affects the well-being of crocodiles, but also sets a dangerous precedent by encouraging others to imitate them for online visibility. The organization emphasized that the influencer did not have licenses or permits to handle wildlife and reiterated the need for stricter sanctions.

"When promoted on major social media platforms, without permits or authority to handle wildlife, it sets a dangerous precedent," CROC noted.

Users on various platforms criticized the American for deliberately exposing a wild animal for entertainment and clickbait purposes.

Numerous comments called the behavior irresponsible and demanded exemplary sanctions. Some internet users pointed out that crocodiles, considered a protected species in Queensland, should be respected in their natural habitat and not used as a spectacle.

In addition, in several videos published by Holston, he can be seen handling various wild animals, not just crocodiles or alligators: snakes, lizards, alligators, and even an echidna.

The Queensland Government has established that “deliberately disturbing” a crocodile is a serious offence that can result in fines of more than US$18,000.

However, CROC indicated that these sanctions are disproportionate to the income that influencers like Holston generate from monetizing these types of viral posts. Therefore, they called for stricter regulations to discourage similar practices.

*This content was rewritten with the assistance of artificial intelligence, based on information from O Globo, and reviewed by a journalist and an editor.