Crocodile: Anger over new online trend of ‘idiot’ influencer that could end in tragedy
- A new trend will result in death, an expert warned
- Influencers willingly enter crocodile areas
- Not only can they die, but so can the crocodiles
A new online trend involving influencers visiting infamous crocodile-infested waters has been criticized by an expert who says it will end in ‘death’ for all involved.
Tommy Hayes torn apart by attention-seeking Insta celebrities who want viewers to support by putting themselves in danger.
The experienced reptile handler, who is trained in crocodile management, catch and track, made a video where he explained what happens in the worst case when things go wrong
“Unfortunately, there are still a lot of, what’s the proper PC term… F****** d******** doing really, really stupid things,” Mr. Hayes begins.
“The problem with deliberately searching for crocodile hotspots is that people can die.
Ignorant influencers knowingly put themselves in danger before reacting with surprise to the camera (Photo: People fishing knee-deep in crocodile-infested waters)
As part of the trend, “idiot” influencers, who called Mr. Hayes refuses to name them so as not to draw extra attention to them, consciously putting themselves in danger before acting surprised on camera when a crocodile appears.
“I recently got a few videos of people ‘accidentally’ encountering large crocodiles in areas that are actually very well known for crocodiles,” he said.
“There are also videos of them fishing in a place (where) crocodile tracks are all over the sand and they are in thigh-deep water.
“You are idiots.”
In some cases, he believes crocodiles are deliberately lured out by humans, using fish guts and chickens on ropes.
But it’s not the influencers themselves that Mr. Hayes is concerned about.
It’s not the influencers themselves that Mr. Hayes is primarily concerned about, but those who are likely to copy the apparently fun behavior, Mr. Hayes warned.
As a safety measure to prevent recurrence of accidents, wild animals that attack humans are typically hunted down and killed by forest patrols (stock pictured)
Crocodiles found attacking humans are typically hunted down and killed by forest patrols as a safety measure to prevent this from happening again.
“People need to understand that there is no relocation in Queensland. It’s farm or dead,” Mr. Hayes continues.
“They are actually selfish enough to risk their own life and that of the crocodile.
It’s not natural selection. These are people going into someone’s house where they shouldn’t be, and I don’t want to see these videos again.”