Controversial US Influencer Departures Australia After Baby Wombat Incident

Koh Ewe reports that US influencer Sam Jones, who provoked public fury by snatching a baby wombat from its mother, has departed Australia following widespread criticism and potential visa revocation discussions.

Sam Jones, a US social media influencer, has left Australia following a controversial incident where she filmed herself taking a baby wombat from its distraught mother. The footage, which generated significant backlash, showed Jones laughing as she ran away with the animal before returning it to the bush. Australia's Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke had warned of potential visa revocation but it appears Jones chose to leave voluntarily.

Burke expressed relief at her departure, remarking on the well-being of baby wombats, as anger mounted across the nation. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese labeled the video an "outrage," while Foreign Minister Penny Wong termed it "dreadful." Opposition leader Peter Dutton also condemned Jones's actions as cruel.

An online petition demanding her deportation gathered over 30,000 signatures, but the Australian government faced challenges in revoking her visa, as Jones had not been criminally charged nor classified as a threat. Jones, who has nearly 100,000 followers and identifies as an "outdoor enthusiast," later made her account private and deleted her video.

In her now-deleted comments, Jones maintained that the baby wombat was only held briefly and released unharmed, though wildlife experts have criticized her behavior as a "blatant disregard" for animals. The Wombat Protection Society expressed shock at the incident, highlighting the distress caused to a baby wombat separated from its mother.

With wombats being a protected species in Australia, the matter has raised concerns about the portrayal of wildlife in social media for "likes." A new TikTok account claiming to be Jones surfaced, alleging she received numerous death threats and criticizing the public's reaction. Nonetheless, many commentators have called for empathy, referencing the distress they would feel if their own children were treated with such disregard.