A social media influencer has sparked massive controversy after a video of her handling a baby wombat went viral, leading to public outrage and political condemnation. The intense backlash forced her to leave Australia, with officials and citizens alike expressing their anger over what they saw as a reckless stunt involving wildlife.
The Viral Clip That Started It All
Montana-based influencer Sam Jones, who also goes by Samantha Strable, found herself at the center of a heated debate after posting a video of herself grabbing a baby wombat from the roadside and running toward her vehicle, with the joey’s distressed mother frantically following behind.
In the clip, Jones, appearing to be laughing, lifted the visibly alarmed animal up to the camera and exclaimed, “I caught a baby wombat!” The young marsupial, clearly unsettled, began hissing—a well-known sign of distress in wombats, according to wildlife experts. Despite this, Jones continued to hold the animal as it wriggled uncomfortably in her hands.
Eventually, after realizing the mother wombat was nearby and visibly agitated, she decided to release the joey, commenting, “OK, mom is right there… and she is p**sed. Alright, let’s let him go.”
Jones later defended herself, claiming she picked up the joey because she thought it was sick or injured. However, this explanation did little to calm the fury of Australians who saw her actions as both irresponsible and a violation of the country’s strict animal welfare laws.
Political Outrage and Calls for Deportation
The video quickly gained traction on social media, with thousands of people calling for Jones to be penalized for her actions. The backlash escalated when high-ranking Australian officials weighed in, expressing their outrage over the incident.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese strongly condemned the influencer’s behavior, calling it “an absolute disgrace” and questioning why anyone would interfere with wildlife in such a manner. He even sarcastically suggested that if Jones wanted to take an animal from its mother, “she should try a crocodile and see how that goes.”
The controversy didn’t stop there. The Australian federal government began reviewing whether Jones had violated biosecurity and animal welfare laws, with officials discussing the possibility of revoking her visa.
Minister Tony Burke, in an interview with the Daily Mail, did not hold back, stating, “There’s never been a better day to be a baby wombat in Australia.” He also added, “I can’t wait for Australia to see the back of this individual. I don’t expect she will return.”
Despite no formal charges being filed against her, and uncertainty over whether her visa could be legally revoked, Jones decided to leave Australia voluntarily.
Jones’ Attempt at Damage Control
In response to the uproar, Jones took to Instagram to issue a lengthy statement defending her actions.
“I was concerned it may have been sick or injured and made a snap judgment to pick up the joey and see if this was the case,” she explained.
She also claimed she ran away with the joey not to “steal” it, but out of fear that the mother wombat might attack her.
“While I was unbelievably excited to see such an amazing animal, I looked it over quickly and immediately returned it to its mother,” she continued.
Despite insisting that her intentions were not malicious, Jones admitted that she “did not handle the situation as best as I should have” and expressed regret for any distress caused.
“This was never about social media or getting likes,” she added in an attempt to dispel accusations that she staged the incident for online clout.
Public Reaction and the Ongoing Debate
Jones’ apology did little to sway public opinion. Many Australians remained unconvinced, arguing that her reckless handling of a wild animal showed a lack of respect for both the country’s wildlife and its strict conservation laws.
Others pointed out that her “snap judgment” could have caused serious distress to the joey and its mother, potentially leading to long-term harm.
With Jones now out of the country, the debate over how social media influencers interact with wildlife continues. While the internet moves on to the next viral scandal, this incident serves as a harsh reminder that not everything done for clicks and views is without consequences.