Sam Jones, an outdoor enthusiast, sparked fury after a video surfaced of her scooping up a baby wombat while its mother chased after her. Despite claiming her intentions were to help, the incident has led to severe backlash, with calls for action from Australian authorities and thousands of threats directed at her online.
Influencer's Wild Wombat Encounter Ignites Outrage and Death Threats
Influencer's Wild Wombat Encounter Ignites Outrage and Death Threats
A U.S. influencer faces backlash after taking a wild baby wombat from its mother in Australia, prompting a national outcry and threats to her safety.
In a shocking incident that has sparked widespread outrage, Sam Jones, a U.S. influencer known for her outdoor activities, found herself at the center of a national controversy after a video showed her removing a wild baby wombat from its agitated mother in Australia. The footage depicted Jones laughing, as she ran toward a car with the young wombat in her arms, prompting the distress of the mother who chased them.
The incident quickly drew condemnation from animal rights advocates and the Australian government, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese famously daring Jones to try the same with a baby crocodile, highlighting the recklessness of her actions. In response to the surge of negative reactions, Jones issued a lengthy apology on Instagram, claiming her decision was made out of concern for the animals' safety, rather than a desire to harm them.
In her post, she clarified that she did not intend to "steal" the joey but acted impulsively, stating, "The moment was never from a place of harm." She emphasized that her actions were not premeditated and that she acted without considering the full implications at the time. Despite her assertions of good intentions, the backlash against her was swift and severe, leading to thousands of death threats online.
In her statement, Jones also took aim at Australia’s controversial animal culling laws, which permit the culling of various native species, including wombats. As the outrage intensified, Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced that her visa status was under review, although reports indicate that Jones departed Australia voluntarily.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding wildlife protection and animal welfare in Australia, raising questions about the responsibilities of influencers and the impact of their actions on social media. With nearly 95,000 followers, Jones has since deleted the original post featuring the wombat, but the fallout from her choices continues to resonate.
