- Colton Macaulay picked up croc with bare hands
- Branded as a moron and idiot by viewers
Alarming footage of a Canadian influencer taking a freshwater crocodile out of the water and holding it for the camera has sparked widespread outrage.
Colton Macaulay, 27, who has more than 15 million followers across multiple social media platforms, is known for filming footage with wildlife and exotic animals.
A stunt filmed in Australia earlier this year racked up almost half a million views before it was deleted from most of his social media platforms.
Titled ‘Catching crocodiles in Australia’, the footage showed a shirtless Macaulay standing in a creek at night, using his bare hands to pick up a freshwater crocodile.
The influencer held the crocodile up by the neck for the camera as the animal’s tail dangled in the air.
The crocodile didn’t appear happy about being handled and was seen thrashing around while being held, with its jaws wide open as it growled.
‘Hey guys, I’m in Australia right now, and we just yoinked a freshwater croc,’ Macaulay explained in a voiceover.
‘I don’t think he was happy about it because he started making these sounds like a chainsaw. Or maybe that’s the sound they make when they decide to cry like a little b***h.’
Colton Macaulay has more than 15million followers across multiple social media platforms
The clip includes a disclaimer claiming it was ‘performed by a professional’.
The footage attracted a barrage of backlash from viewers who branded him a ‘moron’ and ‘idiot’.
‘How stupid are you?’ another viewer commented.
The clip remains on Facebook but has no comments.
World Animal Protection Australia director Ben Pearson agreed that Aussies have a right to be outraged by the video.
‘This is cruelty for the sake of content, and we know the general public would agree handling freshwater crocs in this way is unacceptable,’ he told Daily Mail Australia in a statement.
‘Crocodiles are not a photo prop or plaything, and they should be treated with respect.
‘Just a quick look at this influencer’s account and you can see multiple videos where they’re interfering with Aussie wildlife in their homes, from cassowaries to wobbegong sharks.
‘Our iconic Australian animals, like all wildlife, are best loved from a distance.’
The crocodile thrashed around while it was held by the Canadian student
Found in northern Australia, freshwater crocodiles aren’t considered as dangerous or aggressive as the saltwater species.
However, they can cause a serious bite if they feel threatened or cornered.
Experts have questioned whether Macaulay had a permit required for handling crocodiles in Australia.
Authorised individuals are the only ones permitted to handle crocodiles in Australia.
‘No random person can obtain a permit to catch crocodiles unless it is specifically for research purposes,’ conservationist Paul Bowen told news.com.au.
‘Permits are generally required for specific activities like farming, education, or egg harvesting.’
Macaulay has been contacted for comment.
Another video shared to Facebook in July showed Macaulay jumping into a croc-infested creek in the Northern Territory, despite multiple warning signs to not enter the water.
‘I swam in croc-infested waters,’ the clip is captioned.
