American hunting influencer Sam Jones could be deported from Australia after uploading a now-deleted video of herself holding a baby wombat taken from its mother.
It is not clear when the video was taken. Ms. Jones, also known as Samantha Strable, was shown on a road at night holding the wombat baby, with its mother chasing after her.
“Look at the mother, it’s chasing after her!” a man filming the video said while laughing, prompting Ms. Strable to respond “OK, mama is right there, and she is pissed, let’s let him go,” according to the New York Post.
While the baby and mother wombat were reunited, according to Ms. Jones, the backlash to the video led to its deletion from social media, the locking of Ms. Jones’ Instagram account @samstrays_somewhere, and possible legal action by Australian authorities, including a review of her visa.
“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,” Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told CNN.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has also responded to the incident, saying Thursday, “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 then,” according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Separating and holding up the baby wombat could possibly result in animal abuse charges, the Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service organization told News.com.au, though no charges have yet been levied against Ms. Jones. The organization was concerned the baby wombat could have been injured.
“Most of their weight is in the back end of the body, so picking up even any young animal, even a toddler, they can experience growth plate damage, greenstick fractures, damage to ligaments and muscles, damage to the nerve plexus,” WIRES veterinarian Tania Bishop told the Sydney Morning Herald.
In addition to her Instagram account, Ms. Jones also had a TikTok account which has been deleted. Another account purporting to be her, @samstrays.somewhere, claims that the first TikTok account was banned and offered reactions to the ongoing controversy.
“Guys… I’m really sorry about the wombat incident. It was a mistake. I’m a professional, and all the people hating, it’s enough. I learned my lesson!!,” said a post followed by an angry emoji.
In a second post, the account also alleged that Ms. Jones has received hundreds of death threats over the incident.
