An American influencer was driven out of Australia after a shocking viral video showed her snatching a baby wombat from its mother. The incident sparked international outrage, including from Australia’s top brass – but did she do it all on purpose?
At a glance:
- American influencer Samantha Jones faced deportation threats after posting a video showing her grabbing a baby wombat in Australia
- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the incident “just an outrage” while officials investigated potential visa violations
- Jones claimed she acted out of concern for the wombats’ safety on the road, fearing they might be hit by vehicles
- Wildlife experts criticized her method, noting she potentially harmed the joey by holding it by its forelegs
- Jones has since apologized and left Australia voluntarily amid the controversy
Outrage From Highest Levels of Government
American social media influencer Samantha Jones caused chaos in Australia recently when she posted a now-deleted video showing her holding a baby wombat by its forelegs while an unidentified man laughed in the background. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese didn’t hold back his criticism, calling the incident “just an outrage” and suggesting Jones should “take another animal that can actually fight back rather than stealing a baby wombat from its mother.”
The incident quickly caught the attention of Australian authorities, prompting Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke to order an investigation into potential visa violations. Wombats are a protected species in Australia, and interfering with them without a license is illegal under Australian wildlife protection laws.
Claims of Good Intentions Fall Flat
In her apology posted to Instagram, Jones attempted to explain her actions as motivated by concern rather than malice. “I ran, not to rip the joey from its mother, but from fear she might attack me. The snap judgment I made in these moments was never from a place of harm or stealing a joey,” Jones stated, claiming she initially stopped to ensure the wombats were safe from traffic.
The influencer further emphasized that her actions were not for social media attention, writing, “I want to make it absolutely clear that this was never about social media or getting likes. This was not staged, nor was it done for entertainment.” Despite her claims, animal welfare experts pointed out that her method of handling the joey could have caused serious harm.
Swift Departure Amid Growing Backlash
As the controversy intensified, an online petition calling for Jones’s deportation gained momentum among outraged Australians. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke later confirmed that Jones had left the country voluntarily while his department was investigating whether she had breached the terms of her visa.
In an apparent attempt at humor following the incident’s resolution, Burke told reporters, “There’s never been a better day to be a baby wombat in Australia.”
Well…that’s a lesson learned the tough way.
