Wombats, which are native to Australia, are a protected species – Image: Cover-Images/IMAGO
The video clip of the American tourist pestering the marsupial has outraged many in Australia. Her visa status is now being reviewed.
An American influencer has sparked outrage in Australia after she published a video which appears to show her grabbing a baby wombat.
In the video which has since been deleted from Instagram, self-described “outdoor enthusiast and hunter” Sam Jones is seen picking up the wild animal in an unknown location in Australia.
The wombat, which could be seen hissing and struggling, was followed by its mother on the road.
“I caught a baby wombat,” Jones says to the camera, before placing the joey back on the side of the road.
The marsupials are a protected species that are only found in Australia.
‘Leave the baby wombat alone’
Senior Australian government officials, including Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and Foreign Minister Penny Wong, condemned the influencer.
“It looked pretty dreadful, didn’t it?” Wong told Australia’s Channel Seven, before adding, “look, leave the baby wombat alone.”
In a statement, Burke said authorities were looking into whether the American woman had violated the terms of her visa.
“I can’t wait for Australia to see the back of this individual, I don’t expect she will return,” he said.
Australia’s Wombat Protection Society also criticized the influencer for the “apparent snatch for social media likes.”
“She then placed the vulnerable baby back onto a country road — potentially putting it at risk of becoming roadkill.”
Jones’ Instagram account, which has over 90,000 followers, has since been set to private. (DW/NAN 15-03-25)
