An American social media influencer is going through large backlash in Australia and could also be barred from visiting the nation after she bragged about taking a screaming child wombat away from its mom in a stunt.
Sam Jones — a self-described “out of doors fanatic” and “wildlife biologist” with 92,000 followers on her now-private Instagram web page — shared a clip displaying her grabbing the newborn wombat, or joey, and working away with it because the mama marsupial initially dashed away.
Jones proceeded to scurry down a highway as she held the animal beneath its entrance legs and a voice off digital camera laughed and remarked on the mom turning round to chase after her child because it hissed and shrieked in Jones’ arms.
Jones, who could possibly be seen smiling with the frightened joey in her arms, later introduced the newborn again to the facet of the highway after noticing its “pissed” mom.
“My dream of holding a wombat has been realized! Child and mother slowly waddled again off collectively into the bush,” Jones reportedly captioned the clip.
Jones’ visa is presently beneath evaluation by Australian immigration officers as they decide whether or not she violated the legislation, Australia’s Sky News reported.
“Both approach, given the extent of scrutiny that can occur if she ever applies for a visa once more, I’ll be shocked if she even bothers,” Australian House Affairs Minister Tony Burke mentioned in a press release to the community.
“I can’t look forward to Australia to see the again of this particular person, I don’t count on she’s going to return,” he added.
It’s unclear whether or not Jones remains to be within the nation. Australia’s Division of House Affairs didn’t instantly reply to a HuffPost request for remark.
American looking influencer Sam Jones is going through fierce backlash after taking a child wombat from it is mom whereas visiting Australia. pic.twitter.com/bGUvuxWGX7
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American looking influencer Sam Jones is going through fierce backlash after taking a child wombat from it is mom whereas visiting Australia. pic.twitter.com/bGUvuxWGX7
— The Undertaking (@theprojecttv) March 12, 2025
The clip was met with anger from Australian social media customers, who called for Jones to be banned from the nation.
“It’s not simply the entitlement it’s the disrespect,” wrote one Reddit user on a subreddit devoted to the nation.
Australian Overseas Minister Penny Wong, in an interview with the “Dawn” present on Australia’s 7 Information, weighed in on the “dreadful” footage earlier than booting questions on whether or not Jones must be deported to different officers.
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“However, actually, depart the wombat alone,” she added.
Tania Bishop — a wildlife veterinarian with WIRES, which describes itself as Australia’s largest wildlife rescue group — told Australia’s ABC that the joey within the clip was “fully dependent” on its mom and the way in which Jones held the newborn may have “very simply” led to accidents.
