US influencer who snatched baby wombat leaves Australia after outcry

On March 13, 2025, an American influencer named Sam Jones left Australia following widespread outrage over a video she posted showing her snatching a baby wombat from its mother. The incident, which occurred at an unspecified location in Australia, sparked intense backlash from the public, conservationists, and government officials. The video, originally shared on Jones’ Instagram account ‘samstrays_somewhere’ to her 92,000 followers, depicted her picking up the distressed baby wombat—known as a joey—while its mother followed in apparent distress. Jones was heard saying, “I caught a baby wombat,” as the animal hissed and screeched, with a man laughing in the background as he filmed. She later returned the joey to the road, but the act drew sharp criticism for its insensitivity and potential harm to the protected species.

Australia’s Home Affairs Department launched a review of Jones’ visa status to determine if she breached its conditions, with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stating, “I can’t wait for Australia to see the back of this individual, I don’t expect she will return.” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also condemned the act, calling it an “outrage” and sarcastically suggesting Jones try taking a baby crocodile from its mother instead. Conservationists, including the Wombat Protection Society and World Animal Protection Australia, labeled her actions “callous” and “appalling,” warning that such interference could lead to severe stress or injury for the animals, and potentially cause the mother to reject her offspring. Wildlife experts noted the joey appeared to have mange, a treatable skin condition, amplifying calls for its location to be disclosed for medical intervention.

After the video went viral and her account was set to private amid the backlash, Jones departed Australia on Friday morning, March 13. It remains unclear whether she left voluntarily or was deported, though there was no explicit indication of formal deportation proceedings being completed by that time. The incident has fueled discussions about wildlife protection and the responsibilities of social media influencers, with some Australians launching a petition to ban Jones from returning. Her departure was met with relief from officials, with Burke quipping, “There’s never been a better day to be a baby wombat in Australia.” Jones issued an apology, saying, “I’m really sorry about the wombat incident. It was a mistake,” but the sentiment did little to quell the public’s anger.