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Australian authorities are investigating US influencer Mike Holston, known as ‘The Real Tarzann,’ after he posted controversial videos of himself capturing wild crocodiles in Queensland. The footage, which has sparked widespread condemnation, shows Holston wrestling a freshwater crocodile and manhandling a juvenile saltwater crocodile, one of the world’s most aggressive reptiles. While Holston claims the videos were made for ‘educational purposes,’ wildlife experts and government officials have labeled his actions as ‘extremely dangerous and illegal.’

In one video, Holston is seen jumping into shallow water to chase a freshwater crocodile, which draws blood before he secures it. In another, he captures a seemingly limp saltwater crocodile in marshland. Both animals were later released, but experts have raised concerns about the stress and potential harm caused to the reptiles. Queensland officials have warned that such actions can result in fines of up to A$37,500, with on-the-spot penalties of A$8,345 for interfering with saltwater crocodiles.

The state government has also introduced new legislation to crack down on dangerous wildlife interactions, including penalties for unintentionally feeding crocodiles. Holston’s videos, while popular online, have drawn criticism from figures like Bob Irwin, father of the late naturalist Steve Irwin, who called for stricter penalties and condemned the influencer’s behavior. Irwin emphasized that handling crocodiles requires specialized skills to avoid causing stress or harm, and criticized social media for glorifying harmful wildlife interactions.

Holston has defended his actions, stating that the animals were released unharmed and that he does not encourage others to replicate his videos. This incident follows another controversy earlier this year involving a US influencer who was widely condemned for taking a baby wombat from the roadside. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese weighed in on that case, suggesting the influencer try the same with more dangerous animals. The ongoing backlash highlights growing concerns about the impact of social media on wildlife and the need for stricter enforcement of wildlife protection laws.

In a landmark ruling that has captivated Australia, Erin Patterson was sentenced to life in prison for the infamous mushroom poisoning case that claimed three lives and left one survivor. The sentencing took place on Monday at Melbourne’s Supreme Court, where Patterson, 50, was led out of the courtroom to begin her term. The case, which has drawn comparisons to an Agatha Christie novel, involved a deadly lunch in 2023 where Patterson served a meal laced with death cap mushrooms. The victims included her ex-husband’s parents and a close friend, while Ian Wilkinson, the sole survivor, continues to suffer from the aftermath. Wilkinson, a pastor, addressed the media outside the courthouse, expressing gratitude to law enforcement and medical professionals while urging kindness and respect for his family’s privacy. The trial revealed the meticulous planning behind the crime, with Justice Christopher Beale condemning Patterson’s actions as a “profound betrayal” of trust. Patterson, who maintained her innocence throughout, will be eligible for parole in 2056 at the age of 82. The case has sparked widespread media attention, with documentaries, podcasts, and books in the works, further amplifying the tragedy for the victims’ families. The community of Korumburra, where the families are rooted, has rallied around the survivors, offering support amidst the relentless public scrutiny.

In a landmark ruling, Erin Patterson, a 50-year-old Australian woman, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with no possibility of parole for at least 33 years for the murder of three relatives and the attempted murder of a fourth through a toxic mushroom meal. The sentence, one of the longest ever imposed on a female offender in Australia, ensures Patterson will be in her 80s before she can apply for release. The Supreme Court of Victoria described her crimes as belonging to the “worst category” of offenses, involving an “elaborate cover-up.”

Patterson was convicted of killing her in-laws, Don and Gail Patterson, both 70, and Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66, after serving them a deadly beef Wellington dish at her home in Victoria in 2023. Heather’s husband, Ian Wilkinson, a local pastor, survived the poisoning but continues to suffer from severe health complications. Patterson’s estranged husband, Simon Patterson, narrowly avoided the fateful meal due to suspicions that his wife had been attempting to poison him for years.

Despite her claims of innocence, asserting that the toxic death cap mushrooms were accidentally included in the dish, Patterson was found guilty of three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. Justice Christopher Beale emphasized the gravity of her crimes, imposing the maximum penalty while acknowledging the harsh conditions she faces in prison, including prolonged solitary confinement.

The case has drawn significant public and media attention, with the court permitting live television coverage of the sentencing—a first in its history. Outside the courtroom, Ian Wilkinson, the sole survivor, expressed gratitude to law enforcement and medical personnel while urging kindness among people. Patterson has 28 days to appeal both her sentence and the guilty verdicts.