A U.S. influencer named Sam Jones faced backlash in Australia after filming herself taking a baby wombat from its mother. The video, which has since been deleted, shows Jones running with the distressed baby wombat while its mother chases after her. This caused outrage among conservationists and the public, with over 18,000 people signing a petition for Jones to be deported and banned from Australia.
Wombats are protected animals in Australia, and harming them without a license is illegal. The way Jones handled the baby wombat was criticized by the Wombat Protection Society of Australia, as it put the animal at risk of becoming roadkill. World Animal Protection Australia also condemned Jones’ actions, calling it cruelty for the sake of content.
Jones defended herself by saying she held the wombat carefully for a minute before releasing it back to its mother unharmed. However, authorities are reviewing her visa to determine if she broke immigration laws. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke expressed hopes that Jones would not return to Australia due to the backlash.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned Jones’ behavior, stating that taking a baby wombat from its mother is unacceptable and disrespectful to Australian wildlife. The incident sparked strong reactions across the country, with many calling for justice and stricter penalties for harming protected animals.
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