Australia’s prime minister has become the latest to criticise an American influencer whose video of her grabbing a baby wombat and carrying it away from its distressed mother has sparked outrage.
Sam Jones, who describes herself as an “outdoor enthusiast and hunter”, posted a now-deleted video to her 92,000 followers on Instagram taken in an unknown location in Australia.
“To take a baby wombat from its mother, and clearly causing distress from the mother, is just an outrage,” Anthony Albanese told reporters.
“And, you know, I suggest to this so-called influencer, maybe she might try some other Australian animals.
“Take a baby crocodile from its mother and see how you go there.
“Take another animal that can actually fight back rather than stealing a baby wombat from its mother – see how you go there,” added the Australian PM.
The country’s interior minister Tony Burke said on Thursday his department is reviewing the conditions of the American’s visa – and whether she had breached immigration law.
Footage she posted showed her picking up the baby wombat – a protected species of marsupial found only in Australia.
It could be seen struggling and heard hissing as its mother followed on the road behind. Jones later placed the wombat back on the road.
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“Given the level of scrutiny that will happen if she ever applies for a visa again, I’ll be surprised if she even bothers,” said Mr Burke.
“I can’t wait for Australia to see the back of this individual, I don’t expect she will return.”
Jones’ Instagram account has since been set to private, and it is unclear if she is still in the country.
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Australia’s foreign minister Penny Wong said the video was distressing.
“It looked pretty dreadful, didn’t it?” she said in an interview with Channel Seven.
“Really, leave the wombat alone.”
