Bob Irwin Demands Action Against ‘Dickhead’ Influencers Recklessly Interacting with Crocodiles
Australia is facing a growing crisis as social media influencers increasingly engage in dangerous and illegal interactions with crocodiles, prompting a fierce rebuke from wildlife advocate Bob Irwin, father of the late Steve Irwin. Authorities in Queensland are currently investigating US influencer Mike Holston, known online as “The Real Tarzann,” for wrestling with wild crocodiles, a practice Irwin has condemned as reckless and harmful.
Irwin, a lifelong champion of crocodile conservation, issued a rare statement expressing his deep concern over a surge in online content that “encourages and glorifying harmful wildlife interactions.” He and colleagues have even given a pointed nickname to the legislation designed to combat these dangerous encounters: “dickhead legislation.” “And that’s because that’s exactly what content creators like The Real Tarzann are in my books – dickheads,” Irwin stated, emphasizing that anyone who harms wildlife for personal amusement is acting irresponsibly.
The Queensland environment department confirmed on Tuesday it is “actively investigating two videos circulating on social media” reportedly filmed in Cape York, and indicated the maximum penalty for interfering with a saltwater crocodile is $37,500, with an on-the-spot fine of $8,345. The department stated it is “actively exploring strong compliance action including fines to deter any person from this type of behaviour.”
However, Irwin argues that regulators are not moving quickly enough. “The repeated line from our regulators [of] ‘we are investigating’ in response to these incidents is wearing thin,” he said. “The message is only going to sink in when we see these so-called influencers held to account and understand that 15 million followers don’t make you exempt from the laws that protect our wildlife.” He expressed disappointment that, despite the introduction of new legislation last September, no one has yet been prosecuted in Queensland for these offenses.
The issue extends beyond Holston’s actions. Crocodile advocate Amanda French highlighted recent incidents, including a Western Australian influencer filmed throwing a cooked chicken to a four-metre saltwater crocodile named Clyde just weeks after the new laws came into effect. In July, a Canadian influencer was also filmed wrangling a freshwater crocodile. While authorities could not pursue the first case due to a lack of evidence, the second remains under investigation.
French, who co-founded the Community Representation of Crocodiles and co-authored a book with Bob Irwin, fears a distortion of Steve Irwin’s legacy. “[Steve Irwin] was the original influencer, there’s no doubt about that,” she said. “But there was no social media back then, there was no ability for people to go, ‘Hey, I’m going to go and do that, and monetise my account, and get that dramatic footage and I’ll be rewarded.’”
Legal experts are also calling for reform. Kirstiana Ward, leading the early legal intervention team at the Environmental Defenders Office in Cairns, advocates for “post and boast” laws to specifically address the online glorification of illegal wildlife interactions. Ward is currently reviewing wildlife protection laws across Australia, noting a widespread pattern of flouting regulations. “We are now seeing deliberate interactions with crocodiles … but we’re seeing it with wombats, the Canadians and Americans, people coming over here and interfering with our wildlife and getting glorification and fame across the world because of their social media presence,” she explained.
Animal welfare organizations have also weighed in, with Peta Australia calling for Holston’s deportation and a ban from re-entering the country. “Peta is calling on authorities to follow the investigation through to the end, and for Mike Holston to be punished to the full extent of the law, including being deported and banned from entering Australia again,” stated Mimi Bekhechi, a senior campaigns adviser for the organization.
The debate underscores a critical need to adapt wildlife protection laws to the realities of the digital age. As French emphasized, “Wildlife protection laws must ‘get with the times’ to deter this unintended ‘copycat effect.’” The current penalties, while increased, may not be sufficient to deter influencers motivated by online fame and financial gain. A roughly $8,000 on-the-spot fine, she noted, “is a walk in the park for someone…prepared to fly out to Australia, get as much content travelling around as he can and put it out on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube.”
