Synopsis
An American influencer faced backlash after picking up a baby wombat in Australia, prompting her to apologize. The incident drew criticism from animal welfare advocates and the Australian Prime Minister. Although she defended her actions, she also criticized local wildlife policies. Currently, no legal action has been announced against her.Key Takeaways
- Influencer Sam Jones apologized for her actions.
- Video of the incident sparked public outrage.
- Prime Minister criticized her behavior sarcastically.
- Jones claimed she was trying to protect the joey.
- Legal action against her has not been announced.
Sydney, March 15 (NationPress) An American influencer has issued an apology after encountering significant backlash for taking a baby wombat away from its mother in Australia, as reported by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Saturday.
Sam Jones, also known as Samantha Strable, shared an Instagram video this week where she was seen picking up the joey from the roadside while its mother chased after her. The joey appeared to be in distress, wriggling and screeching until Jones eventually set it back on the ground, allowing it to reunite with its mother in the bush.
The video drew widespread condemnation from animal welfare advocates and even Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who jokingly suggested she might want to try handling a baby crocodile instead. Immigration Minister Tony Burke confirmed that officials were looking into her visa status, although Jones voluntarily left the country on Friday, according to ABC.
In an Instagram statement, Jones defended her actions, asserting that she was attempting to protect the wombat from oncoming traffic and had briefly checked for injuries before returning it to its mother, as reported by Xinhua news agency. She admitted to acting impulsively and expressed her regret for causing distress.
Nonetheless, she criticized the Australian government for its policies that permit farmers to kill wombats and other wildlife, as stated in the ABC report.
According to Australia’s Environmental and Biosecurity Protection Act 1999, it is unlawful to take or harm native animals without a valid reason. Wildlife experts noted that it is only acceptable to handle a joey if its mother is confirmed deceased and the animal needs rescue. Authorities have not indicated any legal actions against Jones at this moment.
