Influencer Faces Backlash for Illegally Capturing Protected Wildlife in Australia

As of October 8th, 2025, a U.S. tourist in Australia has drawn widespread criticism for his reckless and illegal actions involving protected wildlife. The content creator, who calls himself "The Real Tarzann," has been hunting and capturing powerful wild animals in order to make viral videos for his TikTok account.

Two videos posted by Holston have sparked particular outrage. One shows him wrestling a freshwater crocodile, while another depicts him manhandling a saltwater crocodile, one of the planet's deadliest creatures. Holston has tried to justify his behavior by claiming it is "educational," but experts have strongly condemned his actions as illegal and extremely dangerous.

In a second video, Holston is seen entering marshland to capture a juvenile saltwater crocodile, one of the world's most aggressive reptiles. The animal appears largely limp as Holston holds it by the neck and lifts it for the camera. Queensland officials have stated that the influencer's actions can attract fines of up to A$37,500 (£18,300, $24,776), emphasizing that people should not attempt to capture these protected species unless they are trained and licensed to do so.

The father of the late Steve Irwin, the beloved Australian zookeeper and conservationist known as "The Crocodile Hunter," has also weighed in on the issue, stating that Irwin would never have wanted untrained social media influencers imitating his son's life's work. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from animal lovers and educators alike.