THIS is the shocking moment influencer Colton Macaulay wrestles a deadly croc, sparking widespread outrage.
Disturbing footage captures the 27-year-old removing the exotic animal from the water, displaying it, and referring to it as a “little b****” to his 15 million online followers.
The dangerous stunt was filmed in Australia earlier this year and amassed almost half a million views before it was deleted.
An unnerving video captures the shirtless influencer standing barefoot in the water before forcefully plucking the animal from the creek.
The creature appears distressed as he flails his tail, while being gripped firmly around the neck.
Speaking in a voiceover, Colton said: “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.’
The bizarre video, captioned “catching crocodiles in Australia”, has since received a barrage of criticism.
One concerned viewer said: “How stupid are you?”
While others condemned the act as “thoughtless”, calling the influencer “stupid” and a “moron”.
Meanwhile, World Animal Protection Australia director Ben Pearson slammed the handling of the croc as “unacceptable”, calling it “cruelty for the sake of content”.
He told the Mail Online: “This is cruelty for the sake of content, and we know the general public would agree handling freshwater crocs in this way is unacceptable.
“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.”
Freshwater crocodiles are native to northern Australia and whilst not considered dangerous they can bite if they feel threatened.
A permit is required to handle them.
Colton’s shocking video comes just months after an American hunting influencer sparked outrage after she filmed a video of herself snatching a baby wombat from its mother.
Sam Jones, who claims to be a “wildlife biologist and environmental scientist” posted the now deleted video on Instagram capturing the moment she picked up the animal and ran with it as it dangled around in the air.
After racing across the road with the startled wombat, Jones held it up to the camera and said: “I caught a baby wombat!”
Meanwhile, the baby wombat’s mother chased after Jones, appearing extremely distressed.
This was noticed by the man filming the video who said: “Look at the mother, it’s chasing after her.”
Jones said: “OK mama’s right there and she is p***ed, let’s let him go.”
