Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has joined the chorus of criticism against U.S. influencer Sam Jones, who faced widespread backlash after a video showed her taking a baby wombat from its distressed mother.
Albanese sarcastically suggested that Jones try the same with animals that “can actually fight back,” saying, “Take a baby crocodile from its mother and see how you go there.”
The video, filmed in Australia, shows Jones picking up the wombat joey by the roadside and running to a car while its mother chases after them. The man filming the incident can be heard laughing, saying, “Look at the mother, it’s chasing after her!” The video has since been deleted, but not before sparking outrage among conservationists and the public.
Immigration Officials Review Influencer’s Visa
Following calls for her deportation, Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed that immigration officials are reviewing Jones’s visa. An online petition supporting her deportation has garnered over 10,500 signatures. Burke stated, “Given the level of scrutiny that will happen if she ever applies for a visa again, I’ll be surprised if she even bothers.”
Jones, who describes herself as an “outdoor enthusiast and hunter,” has faced intense criticism for her actions, which conservationists describe as “appalling” and potentially harmful to the wombats.
Conservationists Condemn Influencer’s Behavior
The Wombat Protection Society expressed shock at the “mishandling of a wombat joey in an apparent snatch for ‘social media likes.’” The organization noted that Jones placed the vulnerable baby back on a country road, potentially putting it at risk of becoming roadkill. It remains unclear whether the joey reunited with its mother.
In the now-deleted video, Jones exclaimed, “I caught a baby wombat,” while the joey hissed and struggled in her grip. She later claimed in the comments that the baby was “carefully held for one minute in total” and then released back to its mother, adding, “They wandered back off into the bush together completely unharmed.”
Wombats Are Protected Species in Australia
Wombats, native to Australia, are a legally protected species across the country. Baby wombats share a strong bond with their mothers, and any separation can be distressing and harmful. Suzanne Milthorpe, Head of Campaigns at World Animal Protection Australia, condemned Jones’s actions, stating, “Wombats are not a photo prop or plaything.”
Milthorpe added, “Snatching a screaming baby wombat from their mother is not just appalling, it’s very possibly illegal under state or national laws.”
Legal Implications of Influencer’s Actions
Some experts believe Jones may have broken Australian laws, which prohibit harming or taking native wildlife without authorization. Wildlife veterinarian Tania Bishop told ABC News that handling a wombat joey is only allowed if the animal is in need of help, such as when its mother has died.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong also criticized the video, calling it “dreadful” and urging people to “leave the baby wombat alone. Leave it with its mum.”
Following the backlash, Jones made her Instagram account private. However, several media outlets had already shared the video, as well as earlier posts showing her holding an echidna and a “little shark.” These posts, reportedly taken in Australia, have further fueled criticism of her behavior.
