Sam Jones faced intense backlash yesterday after an undated video circulated online of her picking up a baby wombat from the side of the road as its distressed mother watched on.
The Australian government is now reviewing the visa of a US influencer who briefly took a baby wombat from its mother in footage shared on Instagram.
Montana-based hunting enthusiast Sam Jones faced intense backlash yesterday after an undated video circulated online of her picking up a baby wombat from the side of the road as its distressed mother watched on.
Jones' actions prompted swift condemnation from animal advocacy groups and has now caught the attention of both the Prime Minister of Australia the Department of Home Affairs.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the footage as an "outrage" when asked about it at a press conference in Perth.
"To take a baby wombat from its mother, and clearly causing distress from the mother is just an outrage," the PM said.
"And I suggest to this so-called influencer, maybe she might try some other Australian animals. Take a baby crocodile from its mother and see how you go there.
"Take another animal that can actually fight back, rather than stealing a baby wombat from its mother.
"See how you go there."
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said in a statement the department was investigating whether the conditions of Jones' tourist visa was breached by her actions in the video.
"The department is now working through the conditions on her visa and determining whether immigration law has been breached," Burke said.
"Either way, given the level of scrutiny that will happen if she ever applies for a visa again, I'll be surprised if she even bothers.
"I can't wait for Australia to see the back of this individual. I don't expect she will return."
Animal advocacy group PETA also called on the government to fine Jones and cancel her visa for disturbing Australian wildlife.
PETA also said Jones should donate money to wildlife rescue organisations.
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"If Jones is contrite and has learned any lesson, she needs to show it," PETA senior campaigns advisor Mimi Bekhechi said.
"While she cannot ever compensate for the distress caused a wombat mother and her joey, she can help other wildlife in trouble by forking over cold hard cash to bona fide certified rescue groups that are currently inundated with wildlife displaced by Cyclone Alfred. "
In the since-deleted footage shared to Instagram, Jones could be seen picking up a small joey wombat and running to a car, while the mother wombat appeared to become distressed.
Jones then returned the smaller wombat to the grassy side of the road after filming the encounter.
She said in the video caption to her 92,000 followers it was her "dream" to hold a baby wombat.
Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service (WIRES) vet Dr. Tania Bishop told 9news.com.au yesterday she was "absolutely appalled" by the footage.
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"It's just a completely inappropriate and wrong way to interact with, with any animals, let alone our native wildlife," Dr Bishop said.
The exact location of this incident in Australia remains unknown.
Jones set her Instagram account to private shortly after 9news.com.au contacted her for comment.
Australian native animals are protected under both state and Commonwealth legislation.
It varies from state to state, however some states including the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), New South Wales, Tasmania it is illegal to take, catch or harm native animals.
No charges have been laid in relation to this incident.
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