Influencer Who Stole a Child Wombat from Its Mother Leaves Australia amid Backlash

• U.S. influencer Sam Jones has reportedly left Australia after going through criticism over a now-deleted video she posted of herself taking a child wombat from its mom
• “I can’t watch for Australia to see the again of this particular person, I don’t count on she’s going to return,” House Affairs Minister Tony Burke mentioned, per the Related Press
• The content material creator refers to herself as a “wildlife biologist and environmental scientist” on her now-private Instagram account

An American influencer has reportedly left Australia after going through backlash over a video she posted of herself taking a screaming child wombat from its mom.

On Friday, March 14, Sam Jones — who refers to herself as a “wildlife biologist and environmental scientist” on her now-private Instagram account — fled the nation after the since-deleted video confirmed her selecting up the animal on the aspect of a darkish highway at evening and working away with it, per footage shared by native information outlet 10 Information First.

“There’s by no means been a greater day to be a child wombat in Australia,” House Affairs Minister Tony Burke mentioned, in accordance with the Related Press, after a authorities official confirmed Jones had left Australia voluntarily.

Burke had beforehand mentioned on Friday that the situations of the social media person’s visa have been being reviewed. “I can’t watch for Australia to see the again of this particular person, I don’t count on she’s going to return,” he mentioned in an announcement obtained by AP.

Australia’s Division of House Affairs didn’t instantly reply when contacted by PEOPLE for remark.

The nation’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, known as Jones’ video an “outrage,” insisting of wombats, “They’re light, beautiful creatures … I counsel to this so-called influencer, possibly she ought to strive another Australian animals, possibly she ought to strive a crocodile,” per the Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC).

“Take a child crocodile from its mom and see the way you go there,” Albanese added, in accordance with the outlet. “Take one other animal that may truly battle again relatively than stealing a child wombat from its mom.”

The animal seemed to be a standard wombat, also called a bare-nosed wombat, per AP.

Within the video, a laughing Jones — who additionally makes use of the identify Samantha Strable — carried the native Australian animal away because it was heard screeching for its mom. The mama wombat then ran throughout the road, seemingly in an try to guard its child, per the ten Information First footage.

All of the whereas, the influencer performed to the digital camera because the particular person recording her narrated what was occurring on the scene. “Take a look at the mom, it’s chasing after her!” the cameraman mentioned, whereas additionally laughing.

“I caught a child wombat!” mentioned Jones, who has practically 92,000 followers on the social media web site.

“OK mama’s proper there and she or he is pissed, let’s let him go,” she added, earlier than strolling throughout the highway to launch the infant, who was making misery noises whereas airborne.

The video acquired backlash from the general public, who condemned her act after it was posted on-line. The content material creator has since made her Instagram non-public and seems to have deactivated her TikTok (samstrays_somewhere) account.

Animals native to Australia are protected by legislation beneath the Setting Safety and Biodiversity Conservation Act. Wildlife rescue group Wires confirmed to information.com.au that Jones’ act documented within the video was unlawful.

Wildlife Vet Dr. Tania Bishop informed the outlet that the joey within the clip seemed “round eight months outdated” and famous that it is in its stage of life the place it will be counting on its mother “always.”

Dr. Bishop additionally informed the location that the animal may have been injured because of the manner the influencer was holding it.

“When she’s working, it’s not supported beneath, and wombats are extremely stable, particularly of their again finish,” she informed information.com.au. “So there’s each likelihood she may have fractured the higher humerus, or the highest of the arms, or brought about harm to the shoulders.”

“You’ll be able to see the joey swinging, nevertheless it’s additionally hissing and crying out, which is an indication of utmost misery,” Dr. Bishop added to the outlet.

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The non-profit group Wombat Rescue urged the infant may have a pores and skin illness, urging Jones to disclose the place the video was filmed.

Charity founder, Yolandi Vermaak, mentioned, “The child has mange and it’s a matter of time earlier than it dies of mange, so it’s necessary for us to search out the place this occurred and to get this child and its mother handled as quickly as attainable,” including that her “largest concern” was that “we did not truly see mother and child getting reunited,” per the AP.

In Australia, penalties for animal cruelty offenses differ in every jurisdiction, with fines reaching as excessive as $235,600 for people and $250,000 for firms. Jail time may be as much as seven years.

PEOPLE has reached out to Wombat Rescue for remark.