Video allegedly showing man trying to catch freshwater crocodile prompts investigation
In short:
A video posted to social media on Friday allegedly shows an American influencer trying to catch a freshwater crocodile.
Mike Holston, who goes by "therealtarzann" online, has received some criticism in response to the post.
What's next?
It is an offence to interfere with crocodiles, and Queensland's environment department says it is investigating the video.
Queensland's environment department has confirmed it is investigating a video which allegedly shows an influencer trying to catch a freshwater crocodile.
The video was posted to Instagram on Friday by American wildlife influencer Mike Holston, who goes by "therealtarzann" online.
Tagged as "Lockhart River, Cape York" in the state's far north, it has since amassed more than a million likes and 22 million views, while sparking backlash from some.
Mr Holston's video was posted on Friday. (Supplied: therealtarzann)
The video appears to show Mr Holston jumping out of a boat in shallow water to run towards a crocodile.
The footage shows the crocodile trying to swim away, before Mr Holston appears to leap on it and pick it up.
Another man who appears to be holding the camera can be heard saying, "Oh, it's got him".
Mr Holston can be heard responding: "I got a hold of him".
Another crocodile appears to be in the water nearby, and Mr Holston's arm appears to be bleeding in the footage.
He can be heard saying "this is what dreams are made of" while holding the crocodile, before the footage appears to show him dropping the animal, which quickly swims away.
Mr Holston has been contacted for comment.
The crocodile which appears in the vision. (Supplied: therealtarzann)
'Extremely dangerous' to interfere
A spokesperson for the Department of Environment said it was a "significant offence to interfere with freshwater crocodiles in Queensland, not to mention extremely dangerous".
Mr Holston's video has sparked some backlash online and has also been criticised by the Queensland Conservation Council.
Director Dave Copeman said laws were in place which made it illegal for people to interfere with animals for their own, and the animals', protection.
Mr Copeman said that, in order to discourage copycats, people should face significant fines if found guilty of interacting with animals.
"It's fine to go as a tourist and to enjoy going and seeing them, appreciating them in their natural habitat," he said.
Mr Copeman said he was concerned about potential kneejerk responses to negative interactions between crocodiles and humans such as calls to cull them.
"Crocodiles and humans can live side by side as long as there's a little bit of common sense,"he said.
An influencer was charged after feeding this large saltwater crocodile locals have named Clyde in Far North Queensland last year. (ABC Far North: Brendan Mounter)
The Queensland Department of Environment website states that an on-the-spot fine of more than $2,500 can be imposed on someone caught interfering with a crocodile.
Under state legislation, anyone found to be feeding or deliberately disturbing crocodiles could be fined more than $26,000.