Steve Irwin’s father has made a statement following the internet sensation, Mike Holston, who gained popularity for playing around with crocodiles and boa constrictors in Australia, similar to Steve Irwin’s style on Animal Planet.
Mike Holston, often referred to as ‘Tarzan of the Internet,’ is a widely recognized figure due to his content on health and lifestyle, along with his captivating videos where he interacts with various reptiles such as monitor lizards, serpents, and crocodiles.
The brief videos he posts have amassed a following of over 15 million people on Instagram, yet his more recent content is generating criticism from animal welfare organizations and even the government of Australia.
By September 2025, Holston had shared a collection of videos featuring the pursuit and capture of native crocodiles in the northernmost Queensland region. Swiftly, public criticism poured in against the influencer, with PETA joining the conversation on animal rights matters not long after.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Mike Holston (@therealtarzann)
In addition to it being both unlawful and inconceivably foolish to disturb a crocodile in Queensland, doing so is also undeniably cruel, as stated by PETA advisor Mimi Bekhechi.
The Queensland Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) has acknowledged taking an active role in examining the provided videos, as their representative has confirmed.
The representative stated that such actions are not only highly risky and unlawful, but we’re vigorously investigating potential penalties, like fines, to discourage anyone from engaging in similar conduct.
David Crisafulli, the Premier of Queensland, referred to the Instagram star as a “foolish person,” but indicated that any potential legal action might be handled by the Australian federal government.
If you believe engaging in saltwater crocodile wrestling is a viable long-term business strategy, I’m guessing things won’t turn out as he expects, according to him.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Mike Holston (@therealtarzann)
Bob Irwin slams influencer for “interfering” with Australian wildlife
Nevertheless, the strongest backlash emerged from Bob Irwin, father of the late wildlife conservationist Steve Irwin. In an impassioned statement that’s been circulating widely on social media, the 86-year-old criticized the content creator, referring to him as “unpleasant” or “disagreeable.
When people visit our country, it’s crucial that they show respect towards our native wildlife,” he emphasized. He further suggested that the Australian government should take stern action against influencers who recklessly handle local wildlife, possibly involving strict penalties or consequences.
It won’t be until we witness consequences for those labeled as ‘influencers,’ that they truly grasp the reality: having 15 million followers doesn’t free you from abiding by the laws that safeguard our wildlife.
It’s disheartening to realize no one has faced charges yet, following the introduction of the new laws in Queensland.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Mike Holston (@therealtarzann)
Subsequently, he responded to commentators who drew parallels between Holston’s behavior and that of his son Steve, emphasizing that the two should not be compared or mentioned together in the same context.
Bob clarified, ‘This situation doesn’t resemble the reckless actions of Steve Irwin we’re used to seeing. Instead, it’s about an individual disturbing wildlife that are legally protected.’
So far, Holston’s been consistently uploading content on Instagram without any public response to the criticism he’s facing. However, his latest posts are drawing comments from users who are quick to express their thoughts.
Recently, yet another instance where an influencer has interacted with wildlife has gained widespread attention online. A live-streamer found himself face-to-face with a wild tiger while exploring the Thai forests at night.
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2025-09-10 21:20