An American influencer has stirred controversy after taking a baby wombat from its mother in Australia, prompting widespread outrage. Sam Jones, who has a following of 92,000 on Instagram, recently shared a video where she proudly announced, "I caught a baby wombat," while a man laughed in the background.
In the video, the baby wombat appeared distressed, struggling and hissing, while its mother followed closely behind. Jones claimed she was concerned about the joey’s health and feared an attack from the mother wombat, which led her to take the baby. She later returned the wombat to the roadside after a few moments.
After facing intense backlash online, with thousands threatening her life, Jones took to Instagram to express her regret. She wrote a lengthy apology, stating she had reflected on her actions and recognized she could have handled the situation better. "I am truly sorry for the distress I have caused," she said.
The incident caught the attention of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who expressed his disapproval. He described her actions as outrageous, suggesting that she should consider interacting with other Australian animals that might be more dangerous.
Following the uproar, Jones left Australia just days after the incident. The Australian government is currently reviewing her visa status to determine if she violated any immigration laws. Australia’s interior minister, Tony Burke, indicated that the scrutiny surrounding her future visa applications would be significant.
The baby wombat is a protected species in Australia, and the incident has raised questions about wildlife conservation and the responsibilities of influencers in their interactions with animals.