MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — An American influencer, Sam Jones, faced significant backlash after sharing a video on Instagram where she was seen taking a baby wombat, known as a joey, from its mother in Australia. In response to the outrage, Jones issued an apology stating that her actions stemmed from concern for the animal's welfare, rather than intent to harm.
The controversy escalated to the point where Australian authorities threatened Jones with deportation due to her actions. The footage depicted Jones running away with the joey in her hands while the mother wombat was present. In her social media statement, Jones emphasized that she had acted out of fear for her safety, believing the mother wombat might attack her.
Jones, who also goes by Samantha Strable, explained her mindset during the incident. She claimed that her intentions were never to harm or steal the joey but rather to help. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese publicly condemned the video, labeling it as "just an outrage." Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke revealed that his department was investigating whether Jones had violated the terms of her visa prior to her departure from Australia.
Following the incident, Burke remarked humorously, "There’s never been a better day to be a baby wombat in Australia," indicating that Jones voluntarily left the country. He expressed doubt that she would apply for an Australian visa again in the future, highlighting the seriousness of her actions.
The animal in question is a common wombat, also referred to as a bare-nosed wombat, which is a legally protected marsupial exclusive to Australia. Jones, who hails from Montana, claimed she was extremely worried when she noticed the two wombats on the roadside appearing inactive. Given that wombats are often victims of road accidents, she attempted to ensure their safety from being hit by vehicles.
In her account, she mentioned that when she approached the wombats, the joey did not move, raising her concern that it could be sick or injured. This led her to make a quick decision to pick up the joey. However, animal welfare experts criticized her actions, stating that she could have caused harm to the joey by holding it by its forelegs, a practice that is damaging to the animal.
Jones claimed that after realizing her mistake, she returned the joey to its mother and ensured both animals left the road safely. She expressed regret for the situation, stating, "I have done a great deal of reflection on this situation and have realized that I did not handle this situation as best as I should have." Furthermore, she acknowledged the distress her actions had caused and expressed a sincere apology.
However, inquiries from The Associated Press regarding the specific location and circumstances surrounding the capture of the joey went unanswered by Jones. A wombat expert noted that the video showed the joey suffering from mange, a skin disease that could be fatal without appropriate treatment.
Despite the backlash and her subsequent apology, the incident has raised critical discussions on animal welfare and the responsibility of influencers to respect wildlife and their habitats, particularly in a country like Australia where unique species are both culturally and environmentally significant.
