The American influencer, Sam Jones, has sparked significant controversy in Australia for separating a wombat from its mother and then showing it in a video. The footage, which shows the mother desperately chasing the girl as she runs with the joey in her arms, has caused national outrage and even prompted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to condemn the act as “outrageous.”
After the video spread and calls for her deportation followed, Jones voluntarily left the country.
The controversy intensified with numerous online petitions, gathering 38,000 signatures, demanding the influencer’s removal. The Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke, stated that his office was reviewing whether Jones had violated the conditions of her visa. Furthermore, he hinted that he would be surprised if the influencer managed to obtain another visa to re-enter Australia.
The American defended her actions in two statements posted on Instagram, claiming that she took the marsupial only to get it out of traffic’s way. She said she became concerned when she saw it wasn’t moving, thinking it might be injured. She also added that she ran away from the mother only “out of fear that it might attack her” and made sure that the two animals were reunited before leaving. Jones also emphasized that she did not intend to get likes on social media and, due to the excitement of the moment, she failed to provide proper context to her over 91,000 followers.
However, the young woman did not hold back from accusing the Australian government, which, in her view, allows the culling of thousands of wombats every year in favor of agricultural policies. Despite these iconic animals being a protected species in some areas, operations for population control are allowed. These nocturnal marsupials from the Vombatidae family are known for their stocky and robust appearance, as well as their dense gray or brown fur.
Wombats are herbivores, mainly feeding on grass, roots, and bark. They primarily live underground, digging tunnels and burrows with their powerful front legs. They are slow and generally shy, with highly developed senses of smell and hearing. They have a solitary and nocturnal behavior, and one of the most distinguishing features is their cubic-shaped feces.
Experts have pointed out that Jones’ actions were not only irresponsible but also potentially dangerous for both creatures involved. Even though the joey was immediately returned to the mother, various wildlife groups argue that separation could have fatal effects on the joey, which remains under maternal care until about 2 years of age.
