Mike Holston, better known on social media as “therealtarzann” on instagram, is an American social media influencer. He has come under fire lately for his crocodile-catching shenanigans in Australia. With over 15 million followers, Holston’s videos showcasing his encounters with crocodiles have garnered millions of views, drawing both admiration and concern.
In a short video, Holston pursued the creature through muddy waters of the Lockhart River. His confrontation with the animal at home in Far North Queensland made for exciting news. All because one influencer made sure to tag the location in his post. In that photo, he tackled a two-meter long crocodile and shouted, “This is what dreams are made of!” While resisting the arrest, he was bitten, with visible blood on his person from the documented bite.
Queensland officials recently ordered an investigation into Holston’s original video, saying the legality of his actions was in question. If he is convicted of either feeding or intentionally harassing crocodiles, he may owe a serious fine of more than $26,000. Exceptions would be made for human-wildlife encounters, recognizing that the species was potentially dangerous, but one of the state’s harshest punishments for illegal wildlife interaction.
In our second short, Holston took us under the marshlands. …he fearlessly caught one of the bigger saltwater crocodiles. The release of the second video escalated an already fraught investigation. Now, officials are assessing what his moves mean for wildlife protection and public awareness.
Holston’s lifelong obsession with crocodiles started as a child, which compelled him to seek out crazier and crazier run-ins with the fearsome reptiles. His posts generate more excitement among his followers than any other platform. They pose questions of great ethical significance regarding our treatment of wildlife and the ethical duties of social media influencers.
