US Influencer Faces Outrage After Snatching Baby Wombat from Mother

Sam Jones, a US influencer, has sparked outrage in Australia after a video showing her snatching a baby wombat from its distressed mother went viral. In the wake of widespread condemnation and an online petition for her deportation, she has left the country with her social media accounts now private.

Sam Jones, an American social media influencer known for her outdoor lifestyle, has departed from Australia amidst a storm of backlash following a controversial video where she was seen taking a baby wombat away from its mother. The footage, intended for her social media followers, depicted Jones laughing as she ran from the distressed mother wombat, only to return the baby to the bush later.

Australia's Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke remarked positively on Jones's departure, emphasizing that "there has never been a better time to be a baby wombat.” The incident incited a wave of outrage across the country, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese labeling the act an "outrage," and Foreign Minister Penny Wong describing the video as "dreadful."

The response escalated with significant public outcry, leading to an online petition demanding Jones's deportation that gained over 30,000 signatures. Despite this, officials stated they could not revoke her visa as she had not been charged with any crimes or considered a national threat. Prior to her departure, Jones, who also goes by Samantha Strable, had nearly 100,000 Instagram followers, but has since made her account private and deleted the harmful post.

In her defense, Jones claimed that the baby wombat was only held for a minute and returned unscathed, insisting she does not capture wildlife to harm it. However, wildlife experts condemned her actions as a serious misjudgment, reflecting a “blatant disregard” for Australia's native wildlife, which includes legally protected wombats.

Animal welfare organizations expressed their dismay at the footage, stating that such actions for the sake of social media interest are irresponsible and damaging. Suzanne Milthorpe from World Animal Protection Australia stressed that the baby wombat likely perceived the situation as a predatory threat, which would have caused undue stress and fear.

Following the incident, a new TikTok account purportedly belonging to Jones appeared, citing the overwhelming negativity and death threats she has received since the video surfaced. In a post, the influencer expressed emotional distress, likening the attacks to someone cursing a child in a vulnerable moment. Yet, the public sentiment largely remains critical, with many pointing out the parallels between the wombat's experience and what it would mean if it were a human child in distress.