Influencer Leaves Australia After Wombat Controversy
American influencer Sam Jones, known for her controversial social media antics, has departed Australia following backlash over a video in which she took a baby wombat from its mother. The incident sparked outrage among Australians, prompting government officials to consider revoking her visa. However, reports indicate that Jones left the country voluntarily.
Public Outcry and Government Response
The video, which showed Jones laughing as she snatched the baby wombat from the roadside, quickly went viral, igniting a wave of anger across Australia. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the act as an “outrage,” while Foreign Minister Penny Wong described the footage as “dreadful.” Opposition leader Peter Dutton also expressed his disapproval, labeling the act as “cruel” and stating he was relieved that Jones had left the country.
In response to the public outcry, an online petition demanding Jones’ deportation gained over 30,000 signatures. Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced that his department was reviewing the situation to determine if there were grounds to revoke her visa. However, since Jones had not been charged with any crime or deemed a threat, the government faced challenges in taking action against her.
Influencer’s Actions and Wildlife Experts’ Concerns
Jones, who also goes by Samantha Strable and has nearly 100,000 followers on Instagram, has since made her account private and deleted the controversial post. In her now-deleted comments, she claimed that the baby wombat was held for only a minute before being returned to its mother, asserting that both animals were unharmed. However, wildlife experts have criticized her actions as a “blatant disregard” for native wildlife.
The Wombat Protection Society expressed shock at the incident, emphasizing that such behavior is not only irresponsible but potentially illegal under Australian law. Suzanne Milthorpe, Head of Campaigns at World Animal Protection Australia, stated, “Snatching a screaming baby wombat from their mother is not just appalling; it’s very possibly illegal.” Conservationists stress that wombats are a legally protected species in Australia, and any separation from their mothers can cause significant distress and harm.
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