An American influencer left Australia on Friday after authorities said her visa would be reviewed over a video of her taking a baby wombat away from its mother.
Sam Jones, who describes herself as an “outdoor enthusiast and hunter,” restricted access to her Instagram on Thursday following widespread condemnation over the video.
“There has never been a better day to be a baby wombat in Australia,” Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said after official confirmation that Ms Jones had left the country of her own free will.
The footage shows Ms Jones, from Montana, picking up a baby wombat by its front legs from the side of the road in the dark before running away from its mother.
“I caught a baby wombat,” she said as a man filmed her laughing.
A few moments later, she returns the wombat to the side of the road.
Earlier on Friday, Mr Burke said her visa was being reviewed to determine whether she had violated immigration laws.
“I look forward to Australia seeing the back of this woman. I don't expect her to come back,” he said in a statement to The Associated Press.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined in condemning her actions.
“To take a baby wombat away from its mother and clearly cause her suffering is just disgusting,” Mr Albanese said.
“I suggest this so-called influencer try interacting with other Australian animals. Take a baby crocodile from its mother and see what happens. Try another animal that can fight back, rather than stealing a baby wombat from its mother.”
Ms Jones, also known as Samantha Streible, has closed her social media to new posts and was not immediately available for comment on Friday.
The wombat is likely a common wombat, also called the bare-nosed wombat. This species is protected and found only in Australia.
Yolandi Vermaak, founder of animal welfare charity Wombat Rescue, said separating a baby wombat from its mother could result in the mother rejecting her offspring.
“What worries me most is that we didn't actually see the mother and baby reunited. When she put him down, he looked disoriented. He was facing away from where the mother was last seen. So we don't know if they found
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
