Sam Jones, the American influencer who became embroiled in controversy for allegedly taking a baby wombat from its mother, has spoken out amid intense backlash from both the public and Australian officials. Jones, who left Australia shortly after the incident, made headlines for her Instagram video depicting the moment she picked up the joey, which many saw as distressing and irresponsible.
The drama began when Jones, who has gained notoriety as an outdoor enthusiast, hunter, and wildlife biologist, shared the video on March 14, 2025. It quickly went viral, igniting widespread outrage across Australia. Critics, including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, condemned her actions, calling them "distressing" and labeling the incident as shocking.
"It's a shocker. You know, a wombat is a slow-moving, peaceful animal, and to take a baby wombat from this mum was distressing, quite clearly," Albanese stated during a radio interview. "I found it really distressing the video. I don't know what the hell this woman thought she was doing." Jones's video showed her running across the road with the baby wombat, which led to the mother wombat chasing after her.
After significant backlash, Jones posted multiple apologies on Instagram, removing the original video. "When we found the mother and joey on the road, I was extremely concerned. Wombats are often hit on Australian roads, so I stopped to make sure they got off the road safely and didn’t get hit. I picked up the joey because I was concerned it may have been sick or injured," Jones explained.
Despite her initial explanations, critics were unrelenting. Many Australians called for her to be banned from the country, with petitions gaining traction. One petition amassed over 20,000 signatures demanding action against Jones for her behavior. The Wombat Protection Society released statements condemning her actions, labeling the video as "appalling" and accusing her of putting the joey at risk.
Jones, still feeling the heat after the incident, claimed she reunited the baby wombat with its mother after ensuring both were safe. But skepticism loomed as to whether the joey ever returned to its mother. Wildlife experts stated the risks involved when people take baby animals from their families, raising concerns about the emotional distress it might cause the animals.
Following her controversial actions, Jones fled Australia but continued to express her feelings through social media. She claimed her life had been threatened for picking up the joey and criticized the Australian government for the practices surrounding animal treatment. "While I’m unbelievably excited to see such amazing animals, I realize now I mishandled the situation and have learned from it," Jones said. "But let me be clear; these same people ought to understand the reality of Australia today. The government allows the slaughter of wombats and kangaroos. There are real issues at stake here, including the treatment of our wildlife and the lack of power for tens of thousands of Aussies."
Jones's remark about Australian laws permitting the killing of wombats fueled more outrage. She noted, "The same government voicing threats against me is one that's been allowing the slaughter of thousands of wombats annually, and has been spending millions of taxpayer dollars to shoot beautiful horses and deer from helicopters." These claims caught the attention of media outlets and heightened the criticisms about her original actions.
Channel 10 talk show hosts, who had invited Jones to discuss the incident, expressed disappointment over her decision to send a pre-recorded message instead. The hosts, Hamish Macdonald and Sarah Harris, criticized her lack of accountability. "We were all here earlier this afternoon to do an interview with her and ask her questions. She pulled out of the interview and instead provided the video," Macdonald lamented. Harris denounced Jones' claims as filled with misinformation, pointing out the actual consequences of harming wombats, which could lead to heavy fines or imprisonment without appropriate permits. "There are hefty penalties for the mistreatment of native wildlife, which is proudly protected by Australians," she stated.
Jones's situation highlights the broader conversation surrounding wildlife protection laws and the impact social media has on public perception. Her response to the backlash has only fueled her critics, and the incident has sparked serious discussions around wildlife ethics, influencers' responsibilities, and the treatment of Australia's iconic animals.
While it remains uncertain how this saga will conclude, Jones has found herself at the center of national scrutiny and dialogue about ethical conduct, wildlife conservation, and societal responsibility. This incident serves as a stark reminder of how actions, particularly those broadcasted on social media, can have far-reaching consequences and ignite passionate responses from the community.
Moving forward, it will be interesting to see how Jones navigates this situation, especially as investigations continue around her visa and the legal ramifications of her actions within Australia.
