A US influencer named Sam Jones has issued an apology after facing backlash for a video where she took a baby wombat from its mother. The footage, shared on Instagram, sparked outrage, prompting her to leave Australia shortly after. In her statement, Jones expressed regret, stating, “I have learned from this situation and realised that I did not handle this situation as best as I should have.”
Jones explained that she encountered the mother wombat and her joey on the road, appearing inactive. Concerned for their safety, she made a “snap judgement” to pick up the joey, fearing the mother might attack her. She maintained that her actions were not intended to harm the animals and claimed to have returned the joey to its mother shortly thereafter.
Reflecting on the incident, Jones acknowledged that her actions were not appropriate and apologised for any distress caused. She insisted the situation was unplanned and not intended for social media popularity.
Additionally, Jones offered criticism of the Australian government’s policies concerning wildlife management, particularly noting the treatment of wombats and other native species. She claimed that the government permits the slaughter of wombats, despite them being protected by law across Australia.
In response to the incident, Australian Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke stated that Jones may be denied a visa if she seeks to return to the country. The precise details of when and where the footage was recorded remain unclear.