US Influencer Under Fire: Crocodile "Wrestling" Stunt Sparks Outrage in Australia

Australian authorities have launched a formal investigation into a controversial incident involving American social media influencer Michael Devaney, also known as "crochunter," after he posted videos online appearing to show him wrestling a wild crocodile in Queensland. The footage, which quickly went viral, has drawn significant condemnation and prompted a stern response from environmental and wildlife protection agencies.

The incident reportedly took place in the Daintree River, a famous crocodile habitat in far north Queensland.

Devaney's video depicted him in close proximity to a large saltwater crocodile, at one point seemingly pinning its snout with his hand while submerged in the water. While Devaney claimed his actions were an attempt to rescue the reptile from a fishing line caught in its mouth, authorities and wildlife experts have expressed deep skepticism and outrage over the stunt.

The Queensland Department of Environment, Science, and Innovation (DESI) confirmed they are actively investigating the matter.

"Interfering with or feeding wild crocodiles in Queensland is extremely dangerous and illegal," a DESI spokesperson stated. "Authorities take all crocodile-related incidents seriously and will not hesitate to take strong action against anyone found to be putting themselves or wildlife at risk."

Under Queensland's strict wildlife protection laws, disturbing, feeding, or harming crocodiles carries severe penalties, including fines of up to A$30,000.

These regulations are designed to protect both the public and the iconic apex predators, ensuring that human interactions do not habituate or endanger the animals.

Dr. Adam Britton, a renowned expert in wild crocodile behavior, vehemently criticized Devaney's actions. "This is absolutely outrageous," Dr.

Britton stated, emphasizing that the crocodile in the video appeared to be a wild animal and not one habituated to human interaction. He also challenged Devaney's "rescue" narrative, pointing out that the way Devaney handled the animal did not align with a genuine attempt to remove a fishing line. "If you're trying to remove a fishing line, you're not trying to restrain the animal, you're trying to get the line out of its mouth," he explained, suggesting Devaney's primary aim was control for the camera.

Devaney, who boasts a substantial following across platforms like TikTok and Instagram, has maintained his innocence, asserting that he was solely focused on the crocodile's welfare.

In subsequent posts, he claimed the crocodile was "stressed" and that his intervention was necessary. However, authorities and experts stress that even well-intentioned but unauthorized interference can cause significant stress to wild animals and poses a grave risk to human safety.

The incident highlights growing concerns over the actions of social media influencers who often push boundaries for viral content, potentially endangering themselves, wildlife, and promoting irresponsible behavior.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) has reiterated warnings for the public to be "croc wise" in northern Queensland, advising against approaching or interacting with these dangerous animals in any capacity. The investigation is ongoing, and further details regarding potential charges are expected to emerge as authorities gather more evidence.