In a now-deleted video, Sam Jones, an American influencer, was seen grabbing a baby wombat and carrying it away from his mother.
An American influencer, Sam Jones, has left Australia after facing backlash for posting a video of herself grabbing a baby wombat and taking it away from its mother. According to a Reuters report, Jones, who calls herself an “outdoor enthusiast and hunter,” shared the now-deleted video on Instagram earlier this week.
In the video, Jones is seen picking up the baby wombat, a protected species found only in Australia. The animal is visibly struggling and making hissing sounds while its mother follows behind on the road. Looking into the camera, Jones says, “I caught a baby wombat,” before putting it back down.
Australian officials strongly criticized her actions. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said, “There’s never been a better day to be a wombat in Australia,” referring to her departure. He also stated that her tourist visa was under review and suggested she might not be allowed back in the future.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called her actions “an outrage” and criticized her for disturbing the animal. He sarcastically suggested, “Maybe she should try taking a baby crocodile from its mother and see what happens.”
The video sparked widespread anger online, leading to several petitions condemning Jones’ actions, with some demanding her deportation. After the backlash, Jones deleted the video and set her account to private. According to her Instagram bio, she is a wildlife biologist and environmental scientist with an MSc degree and is based in Montana, USA.
