International Social Media Influencers Accused Of Violating Wildlife Protection Laws During India Visit

Mumbai: Two international social media influencers Mike Holston from the United States (13.7 million Instagram followers) and Mickael Aparicio from Indonesia (99.9K Instagram followers) are under investigation for allegedly violating Indian wildlife protection laws during their recent visit to India.

Three animal welfare organizations — the International Organisation for Animal Protection (OIPA), Amma Care Foundation (ACF), and Plant & Animals Welfare Society – Mumbai (PAWS-Mumbai) — have jointly lodged formal complaints with several authorities, including the Range Forest Office of the Thane Territorial Wing, the Mangrove Cell, Navi Mumbai Police, and the Thane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

According to the complaint, the influencers Holston and Aparicio travelled across various Indian states — including Mumbai Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka — where they allegedly staged dangerous wildlife stunts and filmed misleading "rescue" videos for social media. They were seen handling a number of protected species, such as the King Cobra, Indian Spectacled Cobra, Saw-scaled Viper, Vine Snake, Red Sand Boa, and Indian Rock Python, all protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Nisha Kunju, representing the joint NGO team, stated that many of these videos were allegedly filmed in the Mangrove Forest Area at Ghansoli in Navi Mumbai, using snakes provided by local rescuers from Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Thane. "After filming, they hosted a party in the forest area and irresponsibly discarded liquor bottles, single-use plastic items, and plastic jars used to transport the snakes," she said. "We have submitted photo and video evidence of these stunts, fake rescues, and the aftermath of their party, including images of the local snake rescuers who aided them."

“After filming, the influencers hosted a party in the forest, leaving behind liquor bottles, single-use plastic, and plastic containers used for transporting snakes,” said Kunju. “We have submitted photos and video evidence showing these illegal stunts, the aftermath of the party, and images identifying the local snake catchers involved.”

In a separate incident, the influencers were also seen handling protected marine wildlife, including sea snakes, at Marve Beach in Malad, prompting an additional complaint with the Range Forest Office (West Mumbai) Mangrove Cell.

The NGOs emphasize that these incidents are symptomatic of a broader issue, the existence of illegal wildlife networks operating in Maharashtra. “There is a growing nexus of individuals capturing and transporting wildlife without informing the forest department,” Kunju added. “Such activities not only endanger animal welfare but also pose serious public safety risks.” she said.

Despite the influencers being present in India when the initial complaints were filed, no significant action has reportedly been taken by the authorities so far. Sources indicate that the Thane SPCA and Rabale Police Station have forwarded the complaint to the Range Forest Office of the Thane Territorial Wing for further action.

The NGOs are demanding strict legal action against both the influencers and the local facilitators who allegedly supported the unlawful handling and transportation of wildlife.