US Influencer Faces Backlash in Australia After Handling Baby Wombat
A US influencer has stirred controversy and outrage in Australia after a video surfaced showing her grabbing a baby wombat from its mother on a roadside.
Sam Jones, a hunting influencer, left Australia on Friday after Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed that immigration authorities were investigating whether she had violated the conditions of her visa.
The incident, which occurred earlier this week, sparked widespread condemnation. On Saturday, Jones posted a 900-word apology on Instagram, claiming she acted out of concern for the wombat’s safety.
“I was extremely concerned when I found the wombats on the road and stopped to ensure they weren’t hit by a car,” she wrote. “When I approached the baby and it didn’t move, I thought it might be sick or injured, so I decided to pick it up to check.”
Jones insisted her actions were not malicious, stating, “I ran, not to rip the joey away from its mother, but out of fear she might attack me. The snap decision I made was never meant to cause harm or steal the joey.” She added that after checking on the baby wombat, she returned it to its mother and ensured both safely left the road.
In her lengthy post, Jones also addressed the backlash, clarifying that the incident was not staged for social media content.
“I want to make it absolutely clear that this was never about social media or gaining likes. This was not staged, nor was it done for entertainment. In my excitement and concern, I acted too quickly and failed to provide proper context to viewers online,” she explained.
Despite her apology, Jones’s actions continue to draw heavy criticism. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the incident, calling it “an outrage” and jokingly suggesting Jones try taking a baby crocodile from its mother.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) also criticized the act, highlighting the distress caused to both the joey and its mother. “The footage shows a blatant disregard for native wildlife, and the distress caused to the joey and the mother was evident,” an RSPCA spokesperson said.
Jones, who reportedly received thousands of death threats following the incident, questioned the level of outrage in a country where “slaughter of wombats” is permitted under certain conditions. She noted that harming wombats is only legal in Australia if a permit is obtained, though hunting and culling practices remain contentious.
Jones expressed regret for her handling of the situation and acknowledged that her actions were inappropriate.
As authorities investigate whether Jones breached her visa conditions, the incident continues to spark heated debates on social media and beyond.
