A U.S. hunting influencer has sparked outrage after sharing footage of herself taking a baby wombat from its distressed mother for a photo opportunity, leading to widespread calls for her deportation. Sam Jones, who goes by the username @samstrays_somewhere on Instagram and claims to be a "wildlife biologist and environmental scientist," posted the now-deleted video, which has since ignited intense backlash across social media.
The video captured Jones picking up the joey and running across the road, laughing along with a man who filmed the scene. "Look at the mother, it’s chasing after her!" he exclaimed, as Jones hoisted the clearly terrified wombat, whose legs dangled helplessly. She then announced, "I caught a baby wombat. Mumma’s right there, she is pissed, let’s let him go," before eventually releasing the animal back to the roadside.
Licensed wombat rescuer Yolandi Vermaak, who described the joey as "screaming in absolute terror and distress," has criticized Jones's actions, explaining how such incidents can lead to irreversible consequences for wildlife. "Nine out of ten times, when something like this happens, the mother will bolt, leaving the baby behind," she cautioned. "When the baby wombat is separated from its mum, it will follow anything it sees to find safety. They don’t always find each other again. Worse still, both animals showed signs of mange, which can lead to death if not addressed rapidly."
Dr. Tania Bishop, a wildlife vet with WIRES (the largest wildlife rescue charity in Australia), also expressed alarm at the incident, emphasizing the baby wombat's vulnerability. "The joey is completely dependent on its mother for milk, comfort, and protection. When picked up improperly, like Jones did, it could suffer serious injuries, including fractures," she remarked. "The stress of being abruptly yanked away can be immensely traumatic for both the joey and the mother, risking long-term impacts on their behavior and health."
The outrage has been palpable, especially from those who value Australia's native wildlife. World Animal Protection Australia stated, "Wombats are not photo props or playthings. It is clear from this video how distressing the mother and baby wombat found this experience." The group called for the Australian government to investigate Jones's actions and for her to face legal consequences for violation of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, which protects Australian wildlife.
Legal ramifications for animal cruelty are serious. Offenders can face fines as high as AUD 235,600 for individuals and AUD 250,000 for corporations, along with the potential of imprisonment for up to seven years.
Despite the rising waves of criticism, Jones defended her actions, stating, "The baby was carefully held for one minute before being released back to its mum. They wandered back off together completely unharmed." She claimed she took the opportunity to appreciate the animal up close, insisting she never captures wildlife with the intent of causing harm.
This incident has been discussed widely on various platforms, with many Australians condemning her behavior as entitled and disrespectful. One Reddit user commented, "It’s not just the entitlement, it’s the disrespect. The first instinct isn’t awe but to rush in and exploit the moment for personal gain? Absolutely shameful." Another user called for urgent action, saying, "Arrest. Fine. Deport. Ban."
On her now-private Instagram account, Jones's posts largely feature her with various game she claims to have hunted, raising concerns about her attitude toward wildlife. One video showed her casually handling snakes, with captions implying her reckless approach to animals. Jess Abrahams, from the Australian Conservation Foundation, has called for accountability, stating, "This behavior goes against the respect we should have for wildlife. It’s grotesque, selfish, and absolutely unacceptable to treat animals this way for social media likes."
The Australian government has remained mum on issuing any statements about Jones's visa status, with the Department of Home Affairs choosing not to comment on cases without breaches of visa conditions or criminal charges. With the public controversy swirling, many Australians are hopeful for tangible repercussions to deter similar incidents from happening again.
Jones's actions present not only legal violations but also raise broader questions about societal values related to wildlife preservation and respect for nature. Advocates urge individuals to understand their responsibility as visitors to protect and appreciate wildlife without interference. "We must promote wildlife welfare over personal gratification and social media clout," Dr. Bishop concluded.