American Influencer Faces Backlash After Taking Baby Wombat from Its Mother

CANBERRA, Australia — An American influencer, Sam Jones, is under fire for a viral video showing her taking a baby wombat from its distressed mother in Australia, prompting outrage from conservationists and calls for her deportation. The incident occurred recently and has sparked significant backlash online.

In the controversial video, Jones, who claims to be a wildlife biologist and outdoor enthusiast, is seen grabbing the baby wombat while its mother runs after her. Laughter can be heard from an unidentified man recording the video, who remarks, ‘Look at the mother, it’s chasing after her!’ Later, Jones exclaims, ‘I caught a baby wombat!’ even as the joey makes distressed sounds while being handled.

Australian officials are now investigating Jones’s visa status, with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stating that she may face scrutiny upon future visa applications. A petition demanding her deportation has gathered over 10,500 signatures, reflecting widespread public anger regarding her actions.

The Wombat Protection Society condemned the incident, emphasizing the potential harm caused to the wombat and its mother. ‘The mishandling of a wombat joey in an apparent snatch for social media likes is appalling,’ the society stated in a public statement. They expressed concerns about the joey being placed back onto a road, increasing its risk of becoming roadkill.

Dr. Tania Bishop, a wildlife veterinarian, assessed the situation and indicated that the joey, estimated to be eight months old, relies heavily on its mother for protection and that separating them could result in significant distress. ‘When she’s running, it’s not supported underneath, and wombats are incredibly solid, especially in their back end,’ Dr. Bishop explained. She noted that Jones’s actions could have resulted in serious injury to the baby wombat.

Conservationist Suzanne Milthorpe, Head of Campaigns at World Animal Protection Australia, added, ‘Wombats are not a photo prop or plaything. Snatching a screaming baby wombat from their mother is not just appalling, it’s possibly illegal under state or national laws.’

After facing harsh criticism, Jones made her social media accounts private, but the video had already circulated widely among various media outlets. Prior content on her profile also featured her with other wildlife, prompting further concern about her treatment of animals.

The Australian legal framework protects native animals under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, allowing for fines up to $235,600 and sentences of up to seven years for violations. As the backlash continues, social media users have voiced demands for more stringent consequences, with many asserting, ‘Every Aussie knows to leave baby wildlife with their family.’